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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,392 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,036 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,557 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,427 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,723 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,817 in Jimma, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 34% more than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while Jimma is 22% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 Rp 64.5K

$4.73 ETB 755

-24.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.32 Rp 583.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 Rp 90.4K

Cappuccino

$2.82 Rp 51.0K

$1.18 ETB 189

138.98%

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

$1.35 Rp 24.4K

$0.56 ETB 89.4

141.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 Rp 13.2K

$0.48 ETB 76.5

52.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 Rp 53.0K

$1.19 ETB 191

146.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 Rp 71.1K

$1.47 ETB 234

168.03%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 Rp 32.1K

$1.19 ETB 191

49.58%

White Bread (500g)

$2.45 Rp 44.2K

$0.40 ETB 63.6

512.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 Rp 20.7K

$1.13 ETB 180

1.77%

Eggs

$2.41 Rp 43.6K

$4.21 ETB 672

-42.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.33 Rp 258.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.19 Rp 75.6K

$11.50 ETB 1,837

-63.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.06 Rp 217.7K

$11.73 ETB 1,874

2.81%

Apples (1kg)

$3.64 Rp 65.7K

$2.32 ETB 371

56.90%

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 Rp 28.3K

$1.15 ETB 184

36.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 Rp 50.3K

$3.53 ETB 563

-20.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 Rp 40.5K

$0.56 ETB 90.1

300.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.98 Rp 35.7K

$0.60 ETB 95.1

230.00%

Onion (1kg)

$2.28 Rp 41.1K

$3.54 ETB 566

-35.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 Rp 19.0K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 Rp 14.2K

$0.60 ETB 96.2

31.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.19 Rp 57.6K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.49 Rp 424.1K

$6.66 ETB 1,064

252.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 Rp 52.3K

$1.17 ETB 187

147.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 Rp 49.7K

$1.48 ETB 236

86.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,813

$0.24 ETB 38.44

12.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.37 Rp 151.1K

$14.06 ETB 2,246

-40.47%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.45 Rp 8,167

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.46 Rp 8,298

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.07 Rp 109.6K

$1.70 ETB 271

257.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 Rp 15.6K

$1.77 ETB 282

-51.41%

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

$26.6K Rp 480.0M

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

-48.39%

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

$32.5K Rp 587.6M

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

-43.29%

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

$79.0 Rp 1.4M

$62.5 ETB 9,975

26.51%

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

$4.09 Rp 73.9K

$15.07 ETB 2,407

-72.86%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.85 Rp 430.5K

$309 ETB 49.4K

-92.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.8 Rp 1.8M

$34.15 ETB 5,454

189.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.35 Rp 114.7K

Cinema Ticket

$4.01 Rp 72.3K

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

$297 Rp 5.4M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,602 Rp 119.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.4 Rp 964.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.11 Rp 688.1K

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

-59.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.7 Rp 1.6M

$141 ETB 22.4K

-36.90%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.6 Rp 1.4M

$118 ETB 18.8K

-34.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,020 Rp 18.4M

$214 ETB 34.2K

375.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$680 Rp 12.3M

$163 ETB 26.1K

316.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,469 Rp 62.6M

$429 ETB 68.5K

709.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,090 Rp 37.7M

$326 ETB 52.1K

540.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,729 Rp 49.3M

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

19.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,295 Rp 41.4M

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

102.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$164 Rp 3.0M

$224 ETB 35.8K

-26.96%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

47.56%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026

Last update for Jimma: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,020 in Ubud, Bali versus $214 in Jimma. 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 37% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 34%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,088 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,554 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 46% 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.

Public transport costs about 68% less in Jimma. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,036, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – 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 Jimma. 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.