😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,379 in Ubud, Bali versus $620 in Caranavi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,363 in Ubud, Bali versus $903 in Caranavi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,347 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,187 in Caranavi.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 122% more expensive than in Caranavi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 1% above, Caranavi is 55% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.31Rp 58.9K
$1.49BOB 17.02
122.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.08Rp 694.5K
$9.43BOB 108
314.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.62Rp 99.8K
$3.98BOB 45.45
41.21%
Cappuccino
$2.64Rp 46.9K
$1.68BOB 19.24
57.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58Rp 28.2K
$0.44BOB 5.06
259.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71Rp 12.6K
$0.29BOB 3.27
144.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.73Rp 48.5K
$0.84BOB 9.54
225.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32Rp 76.8K
$2.35BOB 26.88
83.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54Rp 27.4K
$0.76BOB 8.70
102.63%
White Bread(500g)
$2.30Rp 40.8K
$0.90BOB 10.31
155.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03Rp 18.3K
$0.78BOB 8.95
32.05%
Eggs
$2.12Rp 37.7K
$0.55BOB 6.23
285.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.30Rp 307.5K
$3.53BOB 40.36
390.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.03Rp 71.6K
$1.09BOB 12.43
269.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.42Rp 220.8K
$3.34BOB 38.15
271.86%
Apples(1kg)
$3.70Rp 65.7K
$1.71BOB 19.55
116.37%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62Rp 28.7K
$0.51BOB 5.81
217.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27Rp 40.3K
$0.59BOB 6.78
284.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.99Rp 35.4K
$0.71BOB 8.16
180.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83Rp 32.5K
$0.62BOB 7.05
195.16%
Onion(1kg)
$2.25Rp 40.1K
$0.41BOB 4.73
448.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04Rp 18.6K
$0.52BOB 5.91
100.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56Rp 10.0K
$0.63BOB 7.19
-11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22Rp 39.5K
$1.87BOB 21.41
18.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.22Rp 412.7K
$3.04BOB 34.72
663.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39Rp 42.5K
$1.28BOB 14.58
86.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87Rp 51.1K
$1.65BOB 18.79
73.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.25Rp 4,416
$0.31BOB 3.58
-19.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.17Rp 127.4K
$8.58BOB 98.0
-16.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.46Rp 8,163
$0.83BOB 9.44
-44.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,235
$0.84BOB 9.57
-45.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.70Rp 101.2K
$8.85BOB 101
-35.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.48BOB 5.44
58.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 436.7M
$8,506BOB 97.1K
188.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KRp 551.5M
$12.4KBOB 141.8K
149.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.2Rp 1.5M
$22.67BOB 259
262.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.33Rp 112.5K
$14.72BOB 168
-57.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.54Rp 329.6K
$18.57BOB 212
-0.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.1Rp 996.2K
$8.37BOB 95.6
569.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.41Rp 327.2K
$12.86BOB 147
43.16%
Cinema Ticket
$4.26Rp 75.8K
$3.91BOB 44.65
8.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$489Rp 8.7M
$87.3BOB 997
460.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,793Rp 103.0M
$1,313BOB 15.0K
341.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.98Rp 817.3K
$16.57BOB 189
177.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.86Rp 637.4K
$18.16BOB 207
97.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.5Rp 1.4M
$29.72BOB 339
167.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.9Rp 1.4M
$36.71BOB 419
120.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,144Rp 20.3M
$524BOB 5,981
118.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$692Rp 12.3M
$346BOB 3,951
100.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,532Rp 62.8M
$677BOB 7,730
421.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,709Rp 30.4M
$570BOB 6,505
200.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,785Rp 49.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,261Rp 40.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Caranavi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$169Rp 3.0M
$212BOB 2,424
-20.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
8.12
69.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 15, 2026
Last update for Caranavi: August 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,144 in Ubud, Bali and $524 in Caranavi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Caranavi pays 25% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $9.00 in Caranavi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $94.0 per month, with Caranavi cheaper across the board.
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 Caranavi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caranavi cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Caranavi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 122% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ubud, Bali or Caranavi?
On paper, salaries run 25% lower in Caranavi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Ubud, Bali and Caranavi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,144 in Ubud, Bali versus $524 in Caranavi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or in Caranavi?
Dining out is cheaper in Caranavi – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Ubud, Bali and in Caranavi?
All in, you'll spend $1,379 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $620 in Caranavi – a 122% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Ubud, Bali or in Caranavi?
At $620 in Caranavi versus $1,379 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Caranavi but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Caranavi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Ubud, Bali or Caranavi more family-friendly?
For families, Caranavi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or Caranavi?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Caranavi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Caranavi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 122% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared