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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,378 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,659 in Sofia, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,553 in Sofia, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,275 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,447 in Sofia, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 17% cheaper than Sofia, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and Sofia sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 0%, Sofia by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.33 Rp 58.7K
$17.14 BGN 28.51
-80.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.82 Rp 630.7K
$64.0 BGN 106
-44.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.63 Rp 99.1K
$12.13 BGN 20.18
-53.59%
Cappuccino
$2.82 Rp 49.7K
$3.55 BGN 5.91
-20.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 30.8K
$2.45 BGN 4.08
-28.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 Rp 14.0K
$1.94 BGN 3.22
-58.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.04 Rp 53.6K
$3.54 BGN 5.89
-14.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30 Rp 75.7K
$4.60 BGN 7.65
-6.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.61 Rp 28.3K
$2.08 BGN 3.46
-22.60%
White Bread (500g)
$2.27 Rp 39.9K
$1.52 BGN 2.53
49.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 20.6K
$2.31 BGN 3.84
-49.35%
Eggs
$2.17 Rp 38.2K
$4.55 BGN 7.57
-52.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.63 Rp 310.5K
$11.88 BGN 19.76
48.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.05 Rp 71.4K
$8.94 BGN 14.88
-54.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 214.5K
$17.42 BGN 28.99
-30.08%
Apples (1kg)
$3.62 Rp 63.7K
$2.17 BGN 3.61
66.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 Rp 28.8K
$2.06 BGN 3.43
-20.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.31 Rp 40.6K
$1.90 BGN 3.17
21.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.96 Rp 34.5K
$4.12 BGN 6.85
-52.43%
Potato (1kg)
$1.84 Rp 32.5K
$1.11 BGN 1.85
65.77%
Onion (1kg)
$2.37 Rp 41.7K
$0.95 BGN 1.58
149.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 Rp 18.5K
$1.25 BGN 2.08
-16.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 Rp 9,560
$0.85 BGN 1.41
-36.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30 Rp 40.6K
$4.49 BGN 7.46
-48.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.08 Rp 406.4K
$7.42 BGN 12.34
211.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 Rp 41.2K
$1.20 BGN 1.99
95.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 Rp 54.0K
$1.92 BGN 3.20
59.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,365
$0.95 BGN 1.57
-73.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.42 Rp 165.9K
$30.10 BGN 50.1
-68.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.49 Rp 8,631
$1.82 BGN 3.03
-73.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,349
$0.93 BGN 1.55
-49.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.60 Rp 98.6K
$15.98 BGN 26.58
-64.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.2K
$1.78 BGN 2.96
-54.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K Rp 440.3M
$31.5K BGN 52.3K
-20.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1K Rp 547.0M
$27.9K BGN 46.5K
11.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.7 Rp 1.5M
$165 BGN 274
-49.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 114.2K
$21.72 BGN 36.13
-70.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.79 Rp 330.8K
$14.99 BGN 24.94
25.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.2 Rp 972.6K
$48.62 BGN 80.9
13.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.21 Rp 320.6K
$29.09 BGN 48.40
-37.40%
Cinema Ticket
$4.30 Rp 75.7K
$10.52 BGN 17.50
-59.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$494 Rp 8.7M
$781 BGN 1,298
-36.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,917 Rp 104.2M
$13.2K BGN 22.0K
-55.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.28 Rp 814.8K
$91.6 BGN 152
-49.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.44 Rp 641.6K
$43.54 BGN 72.4
-16.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.7 Rp 1.4M
$106 BGN 176
-23.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.8 Rp 1.4M
$109 BGN 182
-27.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,114 Rp 19.6M
$809 BGN 1,345
37.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$693 Rp 12.2M
$619 BGN 1,030
11.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,639 Rp 64.1M
$1,586 BGN 2,638
129.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,712 Rp 30.1M
$1,097 BGN 1,825
56.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,761 Rp 48.6M
$4,590 BGN 7,635
-39.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,293 Rp 40.4M
$3,336 BGN 5,550
-31.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Sofia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 2.9M
$1,796 BGN 2,988
-90.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
2.9
375.17%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Last update for Sofia: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,114 in Ubud, Bali versus $809 in Sofia. 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 975% higher in Sofia, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $64.0 in Sofia. Groceries tell a different story – $294 in Ubud, Bali vs $293 in Sofia – so Sofia wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Sofia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in Sofia compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, $1,659 in Sofia – roughly 20% apart. Sofia costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Sofia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,067 per month in Ubud, Bali and $2,489 in Sofia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Sofia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Sofia?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,378 in Ubud, Bali and $1,659 in Sofia. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Sofia?
Public transport costs about 220% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,378, than in Sofia at $1,659. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sofia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Sofia?
It depends on your priorities. Sofia has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,378 in Ubud, Bali to $1,659 in Sofia. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Sofia 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 Sofia?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sofia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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