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 $1,396 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $373 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,334 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $573 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,273 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $772 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 274% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 2% above the global median, while Bahir Dar is 73% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.37 Rp 59.7K

$3.40 ETB 546

-0.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.59 Rp 682.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.52 Rp 97.6K

Cappuccino

$2.64 Rp 46.8K

$1.01 ETB 163

161.39%

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

$1.67 Rp 29.6K

$0.41 ETB 66.3

307.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 Rp 13.6K

$0.51 ETB 82.3

50.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.63 Rp 46.6K

$0.74 ETB 119

255.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.28 Rp 75.7K

$1.95 ETB 313

119.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 Rp 27.3K

$0.98 ETB 157

58.16%

White Bread (500g)

$2.22 Rp 39.3K

$0.97 ETB 156

128.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 Rp 19.9K

$1.02 ETB 164

10.78%

Eggs

$2.09 Rp 36.9K

$1.71 ETB 275

22.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.39 Rp 307.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.87 Rp 68.4K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.55 Rp 221.9K

$9.83 ETB 1,579

27.67%

Apples (1kg)

$3.62 Rp 63.9K

$3.08 ETB 495

17.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 Rp 27.6K

$1.01 ETB 163

54.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.35 Rp 41.6K

$2.03 ETB 326

15.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.06 Rp 36.4K

$0.78 ETB 125

164.10%

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 Rp 33.6K

$0.64 ETB 103

196.87%

Onion (1kg)

$2.34 Rp 41.3K

$1.16 ETB 187

101.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 Rp 18.2K

$1.03 ETB 165

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 Rp 9,809

$0.52 ETB 83.7

5.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 Rp 39.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.81 Rp 421.0K

$3.96 ETB 636

501.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 Rp 40.9K

$0.78 ETB 125

196.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.80 Rp 49.5K

$1.94 ETB 312

44.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,816

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.66 Rp 153.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 Rp 8,515

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 Rp 7,887

$0.49 ETB 78.3

-8.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.72 Rp 101.1K

$2.05 ETB 329

179.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 Rp 13.4K

$0.99 ETB 159

-23.23%

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

$24.5K Rp 433.0M

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

$32.1K Rp 568.0M

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

$83.6 Rp 1.5M

$100 ETB 16.1K

-16.58%

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

$6.46 Rp 114.2K

$9.81 ETB 1,575

-34.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.99 Rp 335.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.0 Rp 989.8K

$49.32 ETB 7,920

13.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.62 Rp 329.2K

$59.3 ETB 9,523

-68.60%

Cinema Ticket

$4.28 Rp 75.7K

$5.85 ETB 940

-26.84%

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

$487 Rp 8.6M

$49.73 ETB 7,986

878.32%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,856 Rp 103.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.56 Rp 805.6K

$49.08 ETB 7,883

-7.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.38 Rp 643.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.0 Rp 1.4M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.4 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,117 Rp 19.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$701 Rp 12.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,537 Rp 62.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,762 Rp 31.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,826 Rp 50.0M

$1,995 ETB 320.4K

41.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,292 Rp 40.5M

$1,505 ETB 241.8K

52.23%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$170 Rp 3.0M

$202 ETB 32.5K

-15.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.78

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 19% 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 274% 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 $2,095 per month in Ubud, Bali and $560 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 $1,396 in Ubud, Bali and $373 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 137% 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 $373, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. 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 $373 versus $1,396 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.