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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $470 in Pokhara, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $738 in Pokhara, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,006 in Pokhara, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 200% more than Pokhara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while Pokhara is 65% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
$1.85 NPR 286
86.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 Rp 581.1K
$14.27 NPR 2,201
126.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 Rp 87.1K
$6.43 NPR 991
-24.73%
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rp 49.4K
$1.08 NPR 167
154.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.9K
$0.51 NPR 78.0
170.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
$0.15 NPR 23.36
400.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 Rp 53.8K
$2.63 NPR 406
13.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
$3.58 NPR 553
7.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 Rp 31.2K
$0.79 NPR 121
120.25%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 44.2K
$0.59 NPR 90.6
316.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
$0.77 NPR 119
51.95%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 43.7K
$1.71 NPR 263
42.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 260.6K
$6.73 NPR 1,038
115.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.35 Rp 78.2K
$3.13 NPR 483
38.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.98 Rp 215.3K
$6.17 NPR 951
94.17%
Apples (1kg)
$3.72 Rp 66.8K
$2.28 NPR 351
63.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
$1.05 NPR 162
55.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.3K
$1.26 NPR 194
117.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
$0.70 NPR 108
220.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 Rp 34.5K
$0.42 NPR 65.2
357.14%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.9K
$0.73 NPR 113
212.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
$0.43 NPR 66.4
146.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$0.27 NPR 41.77
166.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 Rp 59.0K
$2.83 NPR 436
16.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 416.8K
$10.95 NPR 1,688
111.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
$2.33 NPR 360
19.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
$3.24 NPR 499
-15.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,786
$0.23 NPR 35.39
17.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
$21.73 NPR 3,352
-62.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,675
$2.24 NPR 345
-78.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,545
$0.89 NPR 137
-52.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 Rp 111.8K
$3.55 NPR 547
75.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$1.22 NPR 188
-33.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 478.2M
$31.8K NPR 4.9M
-16.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K Rp 578.5M
$37.6K NPR 5.8M
-14.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
$33.50 NPR 5,167
133.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
$5.02 NPR 774
-18.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 Rp 437.1K
$7.51 NPR 1,159
223.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
$21.92 NPR 3,381
349.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34 Rp 113.9K
$8.85 NPR 1,365
-28.36%
Cinema Ticket
$3.99 Rp 71.6K
$2.77 NPR 427
44.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 Rp 5.5M
$53.8 NPR 8,302
466.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,642 Rp 119.4M
$2,160 NPR 333.1K
207.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 Rp 972.9K
$20.48 NPR 3,159
164.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81 Rp 679.4K
$28.41 NPR 4,381
33.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
$40.65 NPR 6,268
113.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
$33.87 NPR 5,224
125.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$992 Rp 17.8M
$145 NPR 22.3K
585.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$673 Rp 12.1M
$94.1 NPR 14.5K
614.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,375 Rp 60.7M
$272 NPR 41.9K
1140.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
$178 NPR 27.4K
1052.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,805 Rp 50.4M
$1,837 NPR 283.3K
52.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,227 Rp 40.0M
$621 NPR 95.7K
258.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Pokhara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 3.0M
$178 NPR 27.4K
-6.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
12.08
9.93%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Pokhara: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $145 in Pokhara. 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 6% higher in Pokhara, 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 Pokhara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $152 – making Pokhara 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 Pokhara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in Pokhara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, $470 in Pokhara – roughly 200% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Pokhara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $704 in Pokhara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Pokhara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Pokhara, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Pokhara?
Public transport costs about 168% less in Pokhara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ubud, Bali and Pokhara?
Kindergarten costs $305 per month in Ubud, Bali and $53.8 in Pokhara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Pokhara, where all-in costs run around $470, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Pokhara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Pokhara?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $470 in Pokhara to $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Pokhara safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Ubud, Bali and Pokhara?
If budget matters most, go with Pokhara. 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.

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