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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,368 in Ubud, Bali versus $495 in Rawalpindi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,348 in Ubud, Bali versus $781 in Rawalpindi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,327 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,067 in Rawalpindi.

Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 176% more expensive than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 0% above, Rawalpindi is 64% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.44 Rp 60.9K
$2.05 PKR 569
67.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.31 Rp 643.0K
$16.07 PKR 4,452
125.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.71 Rp 101.0K
$5.84 PKR 1,617
-2.23%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.76 PKR 487
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.50 PKR 971
-
Cappuccino
$2.67 Rp 47.3K
$1.98 PKR 549
34.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 31.0K
$0.44 PKR 121
297.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 Rp 15.4K
$0.25 PKR 69.4
248.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 Rp 52.3K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 Rp 80.0K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
$0.91 PKR 251
78.02%
White Bread (500g)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$0.54 PKR 151
331.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 19.6K
$1.23 PKR 340
-9.76%
Eggs
$2.20 Rp 39.0K
$1.11 PKR 308
98.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.69 Rp 313.3K
$6.32 PKR 1,752
179.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.10 Rp 72.5K
$3.57 PKR 990
14.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 215.6K
$5.05 PKR 1,398
141.19%
Apples (1kg)
$3.71 Rp 65.6K
$1.20 PKR 331
209.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 Rp 28.1K
$0.84 PKR 232
89.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.4K
$1.22 PKR 338
86.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.95 Rp 34.6K
$0.53 PKR 146
267.92%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 33.7K
$0.36 PKR 99.5
430.56%
Onion (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$0.45 PKR 124
417.78%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 17.8K
$0.31 PKR 84.9
225.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 Rp 9,773
$0.43 PKR 118
27.91%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$16.09 PKR 4,458
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.14 PKR 316
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.37 PKR 657
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23 Rp 39.5K
$1.93 PKR 535
15.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.07 Rp 408.6K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 Rp 42.8K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 Rp 53.1K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,814
$0.18 PKR 50.5
50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.98 Rp 159.1K
$9.99 PKR 2,767
-10.11%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,566
$0.93 PKR 258
-48.39%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,679
$0.35 PKR 96.1
22.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.64 Rp 99.9K
$3.11 PKR 861
81.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.13 PKR 313
-29.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K Rp 441.7M
$17.9K PKR 5.0M
39.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 561.5M
$24.1K PKR 6.7M
31.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.5 Rp 1.4M
$113 PKR 31.2K
-27.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 115.0K
$5.55 PKR 1,537
16.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.77 Rp 332.4K
$18.88 PKR 5,229
-0.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 Rp 1.0M
$12.11 PKR 3,354
369.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.73 Rp 331.7K
$6.81 PKR 1,886
175.04%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54 Rp 80.4K
$4.26 PKR 1,179
6.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$481 Rp 8.5M
$48.70 PKR 13.5K
887.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,711 Rp 101.1M
$833 PKR 230.8K
585.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.52 Rp 806.0K
$20.41 PKR 5,653
123.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.88 Rp 635.4K
$28.85 PKR 7,993
24.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
$93.7 PKR 26.0K
-14.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7 Rp 1.4M
$36.19 PKR 10.0K
117.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,115 Rp 19.7M
$201 PKR 55.6K
455.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 Rp 12.4M
$83.0 PKR 23.0K
740.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,637 Rp 64.4M
$428 PKR 118.6K
749.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,737 Rp 30.8M
$226 PKR 62.6K
669.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 49.3M
$1,170 PKR 324.1K
137.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,290 Rp 40.5M
$507 PKR 140.5K
351.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$168 Rp 3.0M
$173 PKR 48.0K
-3.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
22.81
-39.59%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

Last update for Rawalpindi: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,115 in Ubud, Bali and $201 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Rawalpindi pays 3% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $36.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $16.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $295 vs $103 per month, with Rawalpindi 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 Rawalpindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Rawalpindi?
Ubud, Bali and Rawalpindi differ by about 176% in total monthly costs ($1,368 vs $495 including rent). Rawalpindi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 3% lower in Rawalpindi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Rawalpindi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,115 in Ubud, Bali versus $201 in Rawalpindi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Rawalpindi – a meal for two runs $16.00 versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Rawalpindi?
All in, you'll spend $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $495 in Rawalpindi – a 176% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $495 in Rawalpindi versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Rawalpindi but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Rawalpindi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Rawalpindi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Ubud, Bali or Rawalpindi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Rawalpindi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Ubud, Bali or Rawalpindi?
Expats usually find Rawalpindi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 176% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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