😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,368 in Ubud, Bali versus $858 in Castanhal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,348 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,351 in Castanhal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,327 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,844 in Castanhal.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 59% more expensive than in Castanhal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 0% above, Castanhal is 37% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.44Rp 60.9K
$5.75R$29.60
-40.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.31Rp 643.0K
$35.32R$182
2.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.71Rp 101.0K
$7.17R$36.96
-20.36%
Cappuccino
$2.67Rp 47.3K
$1.90R$9.77
40.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 31.0K
$1.34R$6.92
30.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87Rp 15.4K
$0.79R$4.09
10.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95Rp 52.3K
$1.98R$10.21
48.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52Rp 80.0K
$2.83R$14.60
59.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62Rp 28.7K
$1.06R$5.48
52.83%
White Bread(500g)
$2.33Rp 41.3K
$1.70R$8.76
37.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.11Rp 19.6K
$1.27R$6.54
-12.60%
Eggs
$2.20Rp 39.0K
$2.09R$10.78
5.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.69Rp 313.3K
$8.57R$44.17
106.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.10Rp 72.5K
$4.27R$21.97
-3.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.18Rp 215.6K
$8.12R$41.85
50.00%
Apples(1kg)
$3.71Rp 65.6K
$2.37R$12.22
56.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59Rp 28.1K
$1.34R$6.90
18.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.4K
$1.20R$6.18
90.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.95Rp 34.6K
$1.74R$8.95
12.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.91Rp 33.7K
$1.09R$5.61
75.23%
Onion(1kg)
$2.33Rp 41.3K
$1.22R$6.29
90.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01Rp 17.8K
$0.76R$3.94
32.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55Rp 9,773
$0.75R$3.89
-26.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23Rp 39.5K
$2.32R$11.96
-3.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.07Rp 408.6K
$8.78R$45.21
162.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42Rp 42.8K
$1.15R$5.94
110.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00Rp 53.1K
$1.87R$9.64
60.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,814
$1.01R$5.22
-73.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.98Rp 159.1K
$47.51R$245
-81.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,566
$1.29R$6.63
-62.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,679
$0.81R$4.16
-46.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.64Rp 99.9K
$7.61R$39.20
-25.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.30R$6.69
-38.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KRp 441.7M
$20.4KR$105.0K
22.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7KRp 561.5M
$34.3KR$176.8K
-7.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.5Rp 1.4M
$66.7R$344
22.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49Rp 115.0K
$11.49R$59.2
-43.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.77Rp 332.4K
$23.06R$119
-18.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.9Rp 1.0M
$25.09R$129
126.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.73Rp 331.7K
$29.80R$154
-37.15%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54Rp 80.4K
$6.94R$35.76
-34.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$481Rp 8.5M
$318R$1,637
51.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,711Rp 101.1M
$8,060R$41.5K
-29.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.52Rp 806.0K
$52.8R$272
-13.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.88Rp 635.4K
$48.29R$249
-25.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.4Rp 1.4M
$92.3R$476
-12.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7Rp 1.4M
$71.5R$368
10.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,115Rp 19.7M
$332R$1,709
236.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$698Rp 12.4M
$211R$1,089
230.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,637Rp 64.4M
$716R$3,690
407.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,737Rp 30.8M
$400R$2,060
334.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,784Rp 49.3M
$1,553R$8,000
79.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,290Rp 40.5M
$1,116R$5,752
105.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Castanhal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$168Rp 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
11.06
24.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Last update for Castanhal: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,115 in Ubud, Bali and $332 in Castanhal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $36.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $35.00 in Castanhal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $295 vs $191 per month, with Castanhal 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 Castanhal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Castanhal?
Castanhal wins on cost – living expenses run 59% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Castanhal the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in Castanhal?
You'd need roughly $2,052 in Ubud, Bali and $1,286 in Castanhal to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ubud, Bali compared to Castanhal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,115 in Ubud, Bali versus $332 in Castanhal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Castanhal?
Dining out is cheaper in Castanhal – a meal for two runs $35.00 versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Castanhal?
All in, you'll spend $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $858 in Castanhal – a 59% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Castanhal?
At $858 in Castanhal versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Castanhal but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Castanhal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Castanhal?
Both work as nomad bases, but Castanhal delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $858 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Castanhal hard to pass up.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Castanhal?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Castanhal 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Castanhal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 59% 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