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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,352 in Kristiansand.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,585 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,543 in Kristiansand.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,763 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,734 in Kristiansand.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 40% less than in Kristiansand, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 5% above, Kristiansand 76% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
$25.04 NOK 242
-86.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
$100 NOK 966
-67.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
$13.28 NOK 128
-63.55%
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
$5.05 NOK 48.65
-45.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
$2.55 NOK 24.56
-45.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
$2.12 NOK 20.41
-64.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
$9.13 NOK 88.1
-67.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
$9.78 NOK 94.3
-60.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
$2.21 NOK 21.30
-21.27%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
$3.33 NOK 32.12
-26.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
$3.21 NOK 30.99
-63.55%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
$4.18 NOK 40.27
-41.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
$11.26 NOK 109
28.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
$13.96 NOK 135
-68.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
$30.90 NOK 298
-61.23%
Apples (1kg)
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
$3.47 NOK 33.47
7.20%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
$2.35 NOK 22.71
-30.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
$3.28 NOK 31.59
-16.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
$4.21 NOK 40.64
-46.79%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
$2.29 NOK 22.12
-16.16%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
$2.22 NOK 21.40
2.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
$2.75 NOK 26.52
-61.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$1.84 NOK 17.75
-60.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
$13.91 NOK 134
-76.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
$15.53 NOK 150
49.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
$3.25 NOK 31.37
-14.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
$3.91 NOK 37.70
-30.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,778
$3.52 NOK 33.97
-92.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
$65.3 NOK 630
-87.59%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,659
$10.31 NOK 99.4
-95.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,532
$1.45 NOK 13.96
-71.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
$42.68 NOK 412
-85.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$2.18 NOK 21.03
-62.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
$35.6K NOK 343.7K
-25.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
$42.7K NOK 411.8K
-24.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
$216 NOK 2,082
-63.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
$31.13 NOK 300
-86.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
$37.26 NOK 359
-34.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
$41.99 NOK 405
134.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
$35.93 NOK 347
-82.35%
Cinema Ticket
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
$14.86 NOK 143
-73.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 Rp 5.5M
$273 NOK 2,634
11.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
$14.5K NOK 139.9K
-54.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
$104 NOK 1,006
-48.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
$47.04 NOK 454
-19.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
$101 NOK 978
-14.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
$153 NOK 1,472
-50.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$992 Rp 17.8M
$1,024 NOK 9,871
-3.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$673 Rp 12.1M
$878 NOK 8,469
-23.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
$1,738 NOK 16.8K
94.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
$1,417 NOK 13.7K
44.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
$4,761 NOK 45.9K
-41.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
$3,327 NOK 32.1K
-33.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Kristiansand
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 3.0M
$4,092 NOK 39.5K
-95.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
4.38
203.20%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Kristiansand: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $992 in Ubud, Bali and $1,024 in Kristiansand. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kristiansand pays 2351% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $100 in Kristiansand for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $446 per month, with Ubud, Bali 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 Kristiansand: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kristiansand cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 67% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ubud, Bali or Kristiansand?
On paper, salaries run 2351% lower in Kristiansand. 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 Kristiansand?
Rent for a central apartment: $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,024 in Kristiansand. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Kristiansand?
Supermarket bills run roughly 50% higher in Kristiansand. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or in Kristiansand?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $100 in Kristiansand. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Ubud, Bali or in Kristiansand?
At $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,352 in Kristiansand, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Kristiansand. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Ubud, Bali or Kristiansand more family-friendly?
For families, Ubud, Bali is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Kristiansand, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or Kristiansand?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Kristiansand 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 Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Kristiansand. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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