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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $308 in Punakha, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $473 in Punakha, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $638 in Punakha, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 357% more than Punakha, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while Punakha is 77% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 Rp 581.1K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 Rp 87.1K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rp 49.4K
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.9K
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 Rp 53.8K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 Rp 31.2K
$0.78 BTN 66.2
123.08%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 44.2K
$0.53 BTN 45.10
364.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
$0.63 BTN 53.1
85.71%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 43.7K
$1.70 BTN 143
42.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 260.6K
$4.73 BTN 399
206.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.35 Rp 78.2K
$3.06 BTN 259
42.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.98 Rp 215.3K
$3.54 BTN 299
238.42%
Apples (1kg)
$3.72 Rp 66.8K
$4.08 BTN 344
-8.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
$2.40 BTN 203
-32.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.3K
$2.27 BTN 191
20.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
$0.85 BTN 71.5
163.53%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 Rp 34.5K
$0.51 BTN 42.74
276.47%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.9K
$0.87 BTN 73.5
162.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
$0.28 BTN 23.37
278.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$0.48 BTN 40.70
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 Rp 59.0K
$3.47 BTN 293
-5.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 416.8K
$3.18 BTN 269
629.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
$0.76 BTN 64.3
265.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
$1.31 BTN 111
108.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,786
$2.35 BTN 198
-88.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,675
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,545
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 Rp 111.8K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 478.2M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K Rp 578.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 Rp 437.1K
$17.43 BTN 1,471
39.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34 Rp 113.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.99 Rp 71.6K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 Rp 5.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,642 Rp 119.4M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 Rp 972.9K
$26.21 BTN 2,212
106.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81 Rp 679.4K
$11.53 BTN 973
227.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
$54.6 BTN 4,610
59.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
$41.37 BTN 3,492
84.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$992 Rp 17.8M
$105 BTN 8,887
842.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$673 Rp 12.1M
$91.4 BTN 7,715
636.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,375 Rp 60.7M
$103 BTN 8,702
3173.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
$137 BTN 11.5K
1400.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,805 Rp 50.4M
$3,161 BTN 266.8K
-11.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,227 Rp 40.0M
$2,981 BTN 251.6K
-25.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Punakha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 3.0M
$241 BTN 20.4K
-30.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
0
-

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Punakha: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $105 in Punakha. 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 45% higher in Punakha, 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 Punakha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Punakha?
Ubud, Bali costs about 357% more than Punakha, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in Punakha?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $462 in Punakha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Punakha?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Punakha, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Punakha?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,408 in Ubud, Bali and $308 in Punakha. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or in Punakha?
Groceries cost about 122% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Punakha?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Punakha, where all-in costs run around $308, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Punakha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Punakha?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Punakha costs $308 versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Punakha?
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.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or to Punakha?
If budget matters most, go with Punakha. 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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