Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Boroko

For one person, living is cheaper in Boroko: $868 a month against $1,349 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $5,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Boroko, Papua New Guinea
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,349
/mo nomad
Boroko
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
$868
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Boroko

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 Boroko actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,349 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $868 in Boroko, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,349
  • Boroko $868

A couple spends around $2,305 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,259 in Boroko, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,305
  • Boroko $1,259

A family of three spends $3,261 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,649 in Boroko, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,261
  • Boroko $1,649

Ubud, Bali costs about 55% more than Boroko, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.32 Rp 60.4K
$7.29 PGK 31.67
-54.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.64 Rp 647.8K
$34.42 PGK 149
3.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.53 Rp 100.6K
$5.35 PGK 23.26
3.36%
Cappuccino
$2.72 Rp 49.4K
$2.48 PGK 10.76
9.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 Rp 30.9K
$0.71 PGK 3.06
139.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 Rp 13.8K
$0.64 PGK 2.78
18.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.65 Rp 48.2K
$2.58 PGK 11.22
2.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 Rp 79.6K
$3.42 PGK 14.85
28.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.49 Rp 27.1K
$1.50 PGK 6.51
-0.67%
White Bread (500g)
$2.28 Rp 41.4K
$1.16 PGK 5.02
96.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
$1.16 PGK 5.03
2.59%
Eggs
$2.04 Rp 37.0K
$3.55 PGK 15.40
-42.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.70 Rp 321.7K
$4.98 PGK 21.65
255.42%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.96 Rp 72.0K
$4.79 PGK 20.79
-17.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.19 Rp 221.6K
$6.61 PGK 28.72
84.42%
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 Rp 66.4K
$3.85 PGK 16.70
-4.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 Rp 27.6K
$3.08 PGK 13.38
-50.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 40.5K
$2.72 PGK 11.80
-18.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.9K
$2.70 PGK 11.74
-27.04%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 Rp 33.6K
$2.82 PGK 12.24
-34.40%
Onion (1kg)
$2.42 Rp 44.1K
$0.84 PGK 3.65
188.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
$1.12 PGK 4.86
-11.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 Rp 9,332
$0.42 PGK 1.83
21.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22 Rp 40.4K
$5.42 PGK 23.53
-59.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.24 Rp 404.2K
$4.95 PGK 21.52
349.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 Rp 41.1K
$1.07 PGK 4.67
111.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 Rp 54.0K
$1.49 PGK 6.48
99.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,562
$0.42 PGK 1.83
-40.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.82 Rp 142.2K
$28.88 PGK 125
-72.92%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,989
$4.40 PGK 19.11
-90.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,817
$1.34 PGK 5.83
-67.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 Rp 98.3K
$10.97 PGK 47.66
-50.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 Rp 15.0K
$0.80 PGK 3.47
2.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8K Rp 433.3M
$35.7K PGK 155.0K
-33.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 577.0M
$17.6K PGK 76.4K
80.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
$61.6 PGK 267
28.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.45 Rp 117.2K
$20.71 PGK 90.0
-68.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.58 Rp 337.7K
$82.1 PGK 357
-77.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.48 Rp 899.4K
$41.86 PGK 182
18.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.65 Rp 320.8K
$14.29 PGK 62.1
23.51%
Cinema Ticket
$4.27 Rp 77.7K
$6.47 PGK 28.09
-34.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$491 Rp 8.9M
$333 PGK 1,445
47.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,674 Rp 103.1M
$2,215 PGK 9,621
156.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.64 Rp 811.4K
$34.50 PGK 150
29.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.95 Rp 635.3K
$12.91 PGK 56.1
170.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.9 Rp 1.5M
$44.28 PGK 192
80.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.4 Rp 1.4M
$26.31 PGK 114
201.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,125 Rp 20.4M
$3,336 PGK 14.5K
-66.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$671 Rp 12.2M
$221 PGK 959
204.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,565 Rp 64.8M
$3,257 PGK 14.1K
9.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,723 Rp 31.3M
$218 PGK 947
690.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,732 Rp 49.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,284 Rp 41.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Boroko
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$164 Rp 3.0M
$352 PGK 1,530
-53.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
11
25.27%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 25, 2026

Last update for Boroko: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$672
Boroko
$221 67.1% $451
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$288
Boroko
$204 29.2% $84
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$108
Boroko
$129 20.1% $22
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$108
Boroko
$53 50.6% $54
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$104
Boroko
$164 58% $60
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$58
Boroko
$55 5.6% $3.2
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$11
Boroko
$42 265% $30

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,125 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,336 in Boroko. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Boroko are about 2.2 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $36 in Ubud, Bali versus $34 in Boroko. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $204 – making Boroko the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇵🇬 Boroko
🕒 Local time
06:12 6:12 AM
08:12 8:12 AM
2 h ahead of Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
Exchange rates and currency converter

PGK, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 18,175 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.5 USD). 1 EUR = 20,233 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

Papua New Guinean Kina exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 4.34 PGK (1 PGK = 0.23 USD). 1 EUR = 4.84 PGK (1 PGK = 0.207 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Boroko 3,510 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Boroko

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 Boroko: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Boroko?
Ubud, Bali costs about 55% more than Boroko, 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 Boroko?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,023 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,302 in Boroko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Boroko?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,125 there versus $3,336 in Boroko.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Boroko?
Kindergarten costs $491 per month in Ubud, Bali and $333 in Boroko. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or in Boroko?
Groceries cost about 41% more in Ubud, Bali, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Ubud, Bali or in Boroko?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,349 in Ubud, Bali and $868 in Boroko. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ubud, Bali or Boroko?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $868 in Boroko to $1,349 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

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