Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Boroko Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Boroko

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,378 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $898 in Boroko, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,289 in Boroko, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,275 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,680 in Boroko, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 53% more than Boroko, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Ubud, Bali sits 0% above the global median, while Boroko is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.33 Rp 58.7K

$7.21 PGK 31.27

-53.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.82 Rp 630.7K

$36.26 PGK 157

-1.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.63 Rp 99.1K

$5.77 PGK 25.04

-2.43%

Cappuccino

$2.82 Rp 49.7K

$2.45 PGK 10.65

15.10%

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

$1.75 Rp 30.8K

$0.77 PGK 3.36

127.27%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 Rp 14.0K

$0.65 PGK 2.84

23.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.04 Rp 53.6K

$2.77 PGK 12.03

9.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

$3.71 PGK 16.11

15.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 Rp 28.3K

$1.57 PGK 6.80

2.55%

White Bread (500g)

$2.27 Rp 39.9K

$1.18 PGK 5.12

92.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 Rp 20.6K

$1.24 PGK 5.38

-5.65%

Eggs

$2.17 Rp 38.2K

$3.68 PGK 15.96

-41.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.63 Rp 310.5K

$5.21 PGK 22.59

238.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.05 Rp 71.4K

$5.23 PGK 22.68

-22.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.18 Rp 214.5K

$6.47 PGK 28.10

88.25%

Apples (1kg)

$3.62 Rp 63.7K

$4.03 PGK 17.48

-10.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 Rp 28.8K

$3.10 PGK 13.45

-47.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.31 Rp 40.6K

$2.80 PGK 12.15

-17.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.96 Rp 34.5K

$2.79 PGK 12.11

-29.75%

Potato (1kg)

$1.84 Rp 32.5K

$2.99 PGK 12.97

-38.46%

Onion (1kg)

$2.37 Rp 41.7K

$0.86 PGK 3.72

175.58%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 Rp 18.5K

$1.12 PGK 4.86

-6.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 Rp 9,560

$0.46 PGK 2.00

17.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.30 Rp 40.6K

$5.70 PGK 24.74

-59.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.08 Rp 406.4K

$5.03 PGK 21.85

358.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.34 Rp 41.2K

$1.10 PGK 4.77

112.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 Rp 54.0K

$1.63 PGK 7.06

88.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.25 Rp 4,365

$0.47 PGK 2.05

-46.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.42 Rp 165.9K

$30.65 PGK 133

-69.27%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.49 Rp 8,631

$4.58 PGK 19.89

-89.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 Rp 8,349

$1.32 PGK 5.73

-64.39%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 Rp 98.6K

$11.29 PGK 48.99

-50.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 Rp 14.2K

$0.81 PGK 3.51

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

$25.0K Rp 440.3M

$21.0K PGK 91.2K

19.05%

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

$31.1K Rp 547.0M

$17.9K PGK 77.6K

73.79%

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

$82.7 Rp 1.5M

$64.0 PGK 278

29.25%

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

$6.49 Rp 114.2K

$23.80 PGK 103

-72.73%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.79 Rp 330.8K

$92.3 PGK 401

-79.65%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.2 Rp 972.6K

$43.35 PGK 188

27.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.21 Rp 320.6K

$14.52 PGK 63.0

25.41%

Cinema Ticket

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

$6.61 PGK 28.68

-34.95%

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

$494 Rp 8.7M

$337 PGK 1,462

46.71%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,917 Rp 104.2M

$2,276 PGK 9,876

160.02%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.28 Rp 814.8K

$33.26 PGK 144

39.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.44 Rp 641.6K

$13.70 PGK 59.4

165.99%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.7 Rp 1.4M

$45.48 PGK 197

77.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.8 Rp 1.4M

$26.86 PGK 117

193.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,114 Rp 19.6M

$3,436 PGK 14.9K

-67.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$693 Rp 12.2M

$224 PGK 974

209.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,639 Rp 64.1M

$3,317 PGK 14.4K

9.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,712 Rp 30.1M

$223 PGK 968

667.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,761 Rp 48.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,293 Rp 40.4M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 Rp 2.9M

$365 PGK 1,582

-54.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.78

25.27%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Last update for Boroko: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,114 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,436 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 run about 118% higher in Boroko, 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 $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $36.00 in Boroko. Groceries tell a different story – $294 in Ubud, Bali vs $212 in Boroko – so Boroko wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Ubud, Bali costs about 53% more than Boroko, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,067 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,348 in Boroko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Boroko, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $494 per month in Ubud, Bali and $337 in Boroko. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% 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 Boroko, where all-in costs run around $898, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,378. In Boroko 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. Boroko costs $898 versus $1,378 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 Boroko. 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.