Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $379 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $563 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $747 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 272% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while Bahir Dar is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 Rp 62.0K

$3.52 ETB 558

-1.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.34 Rp 580.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.84 Rp 86.9K

Cappuccino

$2.75 Rp 49.3K

$0.97 ETB 154

183.51%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 Rp 24.8K

$0.38 ETB 60.6

263.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 Rp 13.5K

$0.49 ETB 77.0

53.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 Rp 53.7K

$0.73 ETB 115

309.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 Rp 69.1K

$2.06 ETB 326

86.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 Rp 31.1K

$1.02 ETB 162

70.59%

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 Rp 44.1K

$0.99 ETB 157

148.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 Rp 21.0K

$0.99 ETB 157

18.18%

Eggs

$2.43 Rp 43.6K

$1.70 ETB 270

42.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 Rp 260.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.35 Rp 78.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.98 Rp 214.9K

$10.19 ETB 1,615

17.57%

Apples (1kg)

$3.72 Rp 66.7K

$2.91 ETB 462

27.84%

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 Rp 29.2K

$0.98 ETB 156

66.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.74 Rp 49.2K

$2.03 ETB 322

34.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 Rp 40.2K

$0.76 ETB 121

194.74%

Potato (1kg)

$1.92 Rp 34.4K

$0.62 ETB 97.9

209.68%

Onion (1kg)

$2.28 Rp 40.8K

$1.17 ETB 186

94.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 Rp 19.1K

$0.98 ETB 156

8.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 Rp 12.9K

$0.51 ETB 81.4

41.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 Rp 58.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.19 Rp 416.1K

$4.08 ETB 646

468.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 Rp 49.8K

$0.78 ETB 124

256.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 Rp 49.0K

$1.95 ETB 309

40.00%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,778

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.11 Rp 145.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 Rp 8,659

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 Rp 7,532

$0.51 ETB 80.9

-17.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.22 Rp 111.6K

$1.97 ETB 313

215.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 Rp 14.6K

$1.03 ETB 163

-21.36%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.6K Rp 477.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.2K Rp 577.4M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$78.4 Rp 1.4M

$100 ETB 15.9K

-21.98%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.07 Rp 73.0K

$10.06 ETB 1,595

-59.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.33 Rp 436.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.6 Rp 1.8M

$49.45 ETB 7,838

99.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.34 Rp 113.7K

$60.7 ETB 9,627

-89.56%

Cinema Ticket

$3.99 Rp 71.5K

$6.10 ETB 967

-34.59%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$305 Rp 5.5M

$49.33 ETB 7,819

518.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,642 Rp 119.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.1 Rp 971.2K

$49.82 ETB 7,897

8.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.81 Rp 678.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 Rp 1.6M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.4 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$992 Rp 17.8M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$673 Rp 12.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,375 Rp 60.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,050 Rp 36.8M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,805 Rp 50.3M

$2,023 ETB 320.7K

38.60%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,227 Rp 39.9M

$1,485 ETB 235.3K

50.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 Rp 3.0M

$203 ETB 32.2K

-17.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 22% higher in Bahir Dar, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Ubud, Bali vs Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ubud, Bali costs about 272% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $568 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,408 in Ubud, Bali and $379 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 139% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $379, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $379 versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.