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 $1,419 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $372 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,540 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $560 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $748 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 282% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 6% above the global median, while Bahir Dar is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.56 Rp 63.7K

$3.60 ETB 567

-1.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.73 Rp 584.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.95 Rp 88.4K

Cappuccino

$2.71 Rp 48.4K

$1.02 ETB 161

165.69%

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

$1.34 Rp 24.0K

$0.42 ETB 65.9

219.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 Rp 12.5K

$0.48 ETB 76.3

45.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 Rp 52.1K

$0.78 ETB 123

274.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.96 Rp 70.7K

$1.99 ETB 313

98.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 Rp 32.3K

$1.01 ETB 160

79.21%

White Bread (500g)

$2.52 Rp 45.0K

$1.01 ETB 160

149.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 Rp 20.7K

$0.99 ETB 156

17.17%

Eggs

$2.46 Rp 43.9K

$1.76 ETB 277

39.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.71 Rp 262.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.32 Rp 77.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.14 Rp 216.7K

$9.96 ETB 1,569

21.89%

Apples (1kg)

$3.84 Rp 68.6K

$2.94 ETB 463

30.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 Rp 27.8K

$1.02 ETB 160

52.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.83 Rp 50.6K

$1.97 ETB 310

43.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.33 Rp 41.5K

$0.77 ETB 122

202.60%

Potato (1kg)

$1.91 Rp 34.2K

$0.67 ETB 105

185.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 Rp 39.3K

$1.17 ETB 185

88.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 Rp 18.1K

$0.98 ETB 155

3.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 Rp 13.8K

$0.52 ETB 81.6

50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 Rp 59.2K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.74 Rp 423.9K

$4.03 ETB 636

489.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 Rp 49.8K

$0.77 ETB 121

262.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 Rp 51.1K

$1.98 ETB 313

44.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,800

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.03 Rp 143.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.46 Rp 8,150

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 Rp 8,037

$0.52 ETB 81.2

-13.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.10 Rp 108.9K

$1.98 ETB 312

208.08%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 Rp 14.2K

$1.02 ETB 160

-22.55%

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

$26.1K Rp 467.0M

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

$32.1K Rp 573.6M

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

$79.9 Rp 1.4M

$100 ETB 15.8K

-20.44%

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

$4.06 Rp 72.6K

$9.90 ETB 1,560

-58.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 Rp 420.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.7 Rp 1.8M

$50.5 ETB 7,963

95.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.63 Rp 118.4K

$59.1 ETB 9,311

-88.78%

Cinema Ticket

$4.15 Rp 74.1K

$5.97 ETB 941

-30.49%

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

$304 Rp 5.4M

$50.3 ETB 7,927

504.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,613 Rp 118.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.5 Rp 991.8K

$50.9 ETB 8,024

9.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.31 Rp 684.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.6 Rp 1.6M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.9 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 Rp 18.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$675 Rp 12.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,442 Rp 61.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,039 Rp 36.4M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,841 Rp 50.7M

$2,032 ETB 320.3K

39.80%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,264 Rp 40.4M

$1,514 ETB 238.6K

49.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$165 Rp 3.0M

$198 ETB 31.2K

-16.64%

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: June 1, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 20% 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 282% 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 $2,129 per month in Ubud, Bali and $557 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 $1,419 in Ubud, Bali and $372 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 143% 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 $372, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. 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 $372 versus $1,419 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.