Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Bahir Dar

For one person, living is cheaper in Bahir Dar: $375 a month against $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $11,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,368
/mo nomad
Bahir Dar
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
$375
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Bahir Dar

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ubud, Bali and in Bahir Dar actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $375 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,368
  • Bahir Dar $375

A couple spends around $2,314 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $569 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,314
  • Bahir Dar $569

A family of three spends $3,260 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $763 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,260
  • Bahir Dar $763

Ubud, Bali costs about 265% more than Bahir Dar, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Ubud, Bali sits 1% above the global median, while Bahir Dar is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.33 Rp 59.9K
$3.51 ETB 564
-5.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.18 Rp 633.2K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.80 Rp 104.5K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
$0.99 ETB 159
175.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 Rp 29.5K
$0.41 ETB 66.0
300.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
$0.52 ETB 83.9
59.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 Rp 48.6K
$0.72 ETB 116
275.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30 Rp 77.4K
$2.01 ETB 323
113.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 Rp 27.1K
$0.99 ETB 158
51.52%
White Bread (500g)
$2.30 Rp 41.4K
$0.98 ETB 157
134.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
$1.03 ETB 165
14.56%
Eggs
$2.14 Rp 38.6K
$1.72 ETB 276
24.42%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.48 Rp 314.6K
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.03 Rp 72.5K
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.23 Rp 220.1K
$10.04 ETB 1,612
21.81%
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 Rp 63.9K
$2.92 ETB 468
21.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
$1.02 ETB 164
53.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
$2.05 ETB 329
9.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.93 Rp 34.7K
$0.83 ETB 133
132.53%
Potato (1kg)
$1.88 Rp 33.9K
$0.63 ETB 101
198.41%
Onion (1kg)
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
$1.12 ETB 180
104.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
$1.02 ETB 164
-2.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 Rp 9,475
$0.51 ETB 82.2
3.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$23.01 Rp 414.2K
$3.90 ETB 626
490.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 Rp 42.2K
$0.84 ETB 134
178.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 Rp 52.4K
$1.97 ETB 316
47.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 Rp 4,315
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.82 Rp 158.7K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,684
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.46 Rp 8,233
$0.48 ETB 76.9
-4.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.45 Rp 98.2K
$2.02 ETB 324
169.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 Rp 15.9K
$1.02 ETB 164
-13.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 442.2M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2K Rp 561.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.0 Rp 1.5M
$102 ETB 16.4K
-18.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.45 Rp 116.0K
$9.82 ETB 1,576
-34.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.57 Rp 334.2K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.8 Rp 1.0M
$50.9 ETB 8,167
9.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.11 Rp 326.0K
$60.5 ETB 9,711
-70.07%
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 Rp 78.9K
$5.90 ETB 947
-25.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$493 Rp 8.9M
$49.85 ETB 8,001
888.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,754 Rp 103.6M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.19 Rp 831.4K
$50.1 ETB 8,032
-7.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.33 Rp 636.0K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,142 Rp 20.6M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$676 Rp 12.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,503 Rp 63.1M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,700 Rp 30.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 50.1M
$1,988 ETB 319.1K
40.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
$1,476 ETB 237.0K
51.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Bahir Dar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
$200 ETB 32.1K
-17.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
0
-

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 11, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$676
Bahir Dar
–
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$290
Bahir Dar
–
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$109
Bahir Dar
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$108
Bahir Dar
–
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$108
Bahir Dar
–
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$65
Bahir Dar
–
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$13
Bahir Dar
–

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.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇪🇹 Bahir Dar
🕒 Local time
00:22 12:22 AM
19:22 7:22 PM
5 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
350,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ETB, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

Ethiopian Birr exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 160 ETB (1,000 ETB = 6.23 USD). 1 EUR = 180 ETB (1,000 ETB = 5.54 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Bahir Dar 8,890 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Bahir Dar

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Bahir Dar?
Ubud, Bali costs about 265% more than Bahir Dar, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in Bahir Dar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,051 per month in Ubud, Bali and $562 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Bahir Dar?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,368 in Ubud, Bali and $375 in Bahir Dar. That's a gap of about 265%.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or in Bahir Dar?
Groceries cost about 134% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Bahir Dar?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $375, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Bahir Dar?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $375 versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Bahir Dar?
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.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or to Bahir Dar?
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.

Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

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