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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $534 in Islamabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $847 in Islamabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,160 in Islamabad, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 164% more than Islamabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while Islamabad is 60% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 Rp 62.1K

$2.85 PKR 791

21.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.34 Rp 581.1K

$14.26 PKR 3,960

126.79%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.84 Rp 87.1K

$5.44 PKR 1,511

-11.03%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 PKR 477

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.82 PKR 1,061

Cappuccino

$2.75 Rp 49.4K

$1.97 PKR 547

39.59%

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

$1.38 Rp 24.9K

$0.40 PKR 110

245.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 Rp 13.5K

$0.24 PKR 67.0

212.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 Rp 53.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 Rp 69.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 Rp 31.2K

$0.96 PKR 268

81.25%

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 Rp 44.2K

$0.66 PKR 183

272.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 Rp 21.0K

$1.28 PKR 355

-8.59%

Eggs

$2.43 Rp 43.7K

$1.20 PKR 334

102.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 Rp 260.6K

$6.07 PKR 1,687

138.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.35 Rp 78.2K

$3.37 PKR 937

29.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.98 Rp 215.3K

$4.35 PKR 1,209

175.40%

Apples (1kg)

$3.72 Rp 66.8K

$1.04 PKR 289

257.69%

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 Rp 29.2K

$0.84 PKR 234

94.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.74 Rp 49.3K

$0.91 PKR 253

201.10%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 Rp 40.3K

$0.56 PKR 156

300.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.92 Rp 34.5K

$0.41 PKR 115

368.29%

Onion (1kg)

$2.28 Rp 40.9K

$0.57 PKR 158

300.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 Rp 19.1K

$0.31 PKR 85.4

241.94%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 Rp 12.9K

$0.41 PKR 113

75.61%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.00 PKR 555

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.93 PKR 258

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 PKR 567

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 Rp 59.0K

$2.14 PKR 595

53.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.19 Rp 416.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 Rp 49.9K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 Rp 49.1K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,786

$0.17 PKR 46.51

58.82%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.11 Rp 145.7K

$7.22 PKR 2,005

12.33%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 Rp 8,675

$0.85 PKR 236

-43.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 Rp 7,545

$0.43 PKR 120

-2.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.22 Rp 111.8K

$2.79 PKR 775

122.94%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 Rp 14.6K

$0.98 PKR 271

-17.35%

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

$26.6K Rp 478.2M

$20.9K PKR 5.8M

27.33%

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

$32.2K Rp 578.5M

$25.9K PKR 7.2M

24.09%

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

$78.4 Rp 1.4M

$114 PKR 31.6K

-31.09%

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

$4.07 Rp 73.1K

$5.41 PKR 1,501

-24.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.33 Rp 437.1K

$18.69 PKR 5,190

30.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.6 Rp 1.8M

$22.13 PKR 6,144

345.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.34 Rp 113.9K

$6.12 PKR 1,698

3.59%

Cinema Ticket

$3.99 Rp 71.6K

$4.14 PKR 1,150

-3.62%

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

$305 Rp 5.5M

$60.2 PKR 16.7K

406.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,642 Rp 119.4M

$2,753 PKR 764.4K

141.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.1 Rp 972.9K

$21.08 PKR 5,854

156.83%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.81 Rp 679.4K

$27.64 PKR 7,674

36.79%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 Rp 1.6M

$87.8 PKR 24.4K

-1.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.4 Rp 1.4M

$40.94 PKR 11.4K

86.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$992 Rp 17.8M

$199 PKR 55.3K

398.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$673 Rp 12.1M

$110 PKR 30.5K

511.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,375 Rp 60.7M

$505 PKR 140.1K

568.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,050 Rp 36.8M

$299 PKR 83.0K

586.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,805 Rp 50.4M

$1,513 PKR 420.1K

85.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,227 Rp 40.0M

$647 PKR 179.8K

243.99%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 Rp 3.0M

$385 PKR 106.9K

-56.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

20.2

-34.26%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Islamabad: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $199 in Islamabad. 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 131% higher in Islamabad, 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 $32.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $14.00 in Islamabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $100 – making Islamabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 164%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $801 in Islamabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 198% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali and $14.00 in Islamabad. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Islamabad, where all-in costs run around $534, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Islamabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Islamabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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 Islamabad. 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.