Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Nanaimo, BC Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Nanaimo, BC

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,394 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,378 in Nanaimo, BC.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,551 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,486 in Nanaimo, BC.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,708 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,595 in Nanaimo, BC.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 41% less than in Nanaimo, BC, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 5% above, Nanaimo, BC 78% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40 Rp 60.2K
$18.21 CA$25.49
-81.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.38 Rp 573.6K
$61.7 CA$86.4
-47.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.00 Rp 88.6K
$13.31 CA$18.63
-62.43%
Cappuccino
$2.82 Rp 50.0K
$4.10 CA$5.74
-31.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.4K
$2.53 CA$3.54
-45.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 Rp 13.0K
$1.93 CA$2.71
-62.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.98 Rp 52.8K
$5.76 CA$8.06
-48.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97 Rp 70.3K
$6.03 CA$8.44
-34.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 Rp 31.8K
$1.79 CA$2.51
-
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 43.7K
$3.26 CA$4.56
-24.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 Rp 21.2K
$4.14 CA$5.80
-71.01%
Eggs
$2.39 Rp 42.3K
$3.97 CA$5.56
-39.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.40 Rp 255.1K
$11.85 CA$16.59
21.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.28 Rp 75.9K
$15.77 CA$22.07
-72.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.82 Rp 209.4K
$18.28 CA$25.59
-35.34%
Apples (1kg)
$3.78 Rp 67.0K
$4.35 CA$6.09
-13.10%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 28.9K
$1.60 CA$2.25
1.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.80 Rp 49.6K
$3.55 CA$4.96
-21.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.26 Rp 40.0K
$4.59 CA$6.42
-50.76%
Potato (1kg)
$2.00 Rp 35.3K
$3.06 CA$4.28
-34.64%
Onion (1kg)
$2.21 Rp 39.2K
$2.75 CA$3.85
-19.64%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 Rp 18.9K
$2.96 CA$4.15
-63.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 Rp 13.5K
$2.29 CA$3.20
-66.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.13 Rp 55.4K
$13.15 CA$18.40
-76.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.81 Rp 421.9K
$12.46 CA$17.44
91.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84 Rp 50.3K
$2.42 CA$3.39
17.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.2K
$3.32 CA$4.65
-16.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,726
$1.96 CA$2.75
-86.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.37 Rp 148.2K
$47.91 CA$67.1
-82.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.45 Rp 8,034
$2.99 CA$4.19
-84.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,578
$1.34 CA$1.88
-67.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.98 Rp 105.9K
$34.10 CA$47.73
-82.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.35 CA$1.88
-40.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.8K Rp 457.2M
$24.7K CA$34.5K
4.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8K Rp 563.4M
$20.4K CA$28.6K
55.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.7 Rp 1.4M
$118 CA$165
-31.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.14 Rp 73.3K
$46.04 CA$64.4
-91.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.12 Rp 427.2K
$66.1 CA$92.5
-63.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$97.8 Rp 1.7M
$30.43 CA$42.59
221.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.64 Rp 117.7K
$11.17 CA$15.64
-40.56%
Cinema Ticket
$4.04 Rp 71.5K
$10.91 CA$15.26
-62.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$297 Rp 5.3M
$783 CA$1,096
-62.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,590 Rp 116.7M
$12.1K CA$16.9K
-45.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 Rp 976.8K
$45.44 CA$63.6
21.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.51 Rp 682.1K
$34.67 CA$48.52
11.08%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.1 Rp 1.5M
$79.6 CA$111
8.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0 Rp 1.4M
$101 CA$141
-22.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$985 Rp 17.5M
$1,322 CA$1,851
-25.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 Rp 11.8M
$1,168 CA$1,635
-43.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,446 Rp 61.0M
$2,056 CA$2,878
67.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,042 Rp 36.2M
$1,922 CA$2,689
6.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,829 Rp 50.1M
$3,883 CA$5,435
-27.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,282 Rp 40.4M
$3,501 CA$4,900
-34.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Nanaimo, BC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$169 Rp 3.0M
$3,083 CA$4,315
-94.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.47
105.26%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 14, 2026

Last update for Nanaimo, BC: June 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $985 in Ubud, Bali and $1,322 in Nanaimo, BC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Nanaimo, BC pays 1722% 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 $62.0 in Nanaimo, BC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $299 vs $418 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 Nanaimo, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Nanaimo, BC?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 71% lower than in Nanaimo, BC. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ubud, Bali or Nanaimo, BC?
On paper, Nanaimo, BC earns 1722% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ubud, Bali vs Nanaimo, BC?
Rent for a central apartment: $985 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,322 in Nanaimo, BC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali vs Nanaimo, BC?
A monthly transit pass in Ubud, Bali runs roughly 472% less than in Nanaimo, BC. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and Nanaimo, BC?
Childcare runs $297 in Ubud, Bali versus $783 in Nanaimo, BC. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Nanaimo, BC?
At $1,394 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,378 in Nanaimo, BC, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Nanaimo, BC. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Nanaimo, BC?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,394 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Nanaimo, BC?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Nanaimo, BC 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 Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 71% less than in Nanaimo, BC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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