Istanbul vs Ubud: cost of living for digital nomads
Istanbul, Turkey and Ubud, Indonesia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Istanbul and Ubud cost about the same per month ($1,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $550 in Ubud against $650 in Istanbul.
- Ubud scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Istanbul: 60 Mbps typical against 30 Mbps.
- Istanbul is mediterranean; Ubud is tropical.
Istanbul wins 2 of the measured lines; Ubud wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Ubud?
Istanbul and Ubud cost about the same per month for a remote worker, both around $1,400.
Which city is safer, Istanbul or Ubud?
Ubud scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Istanbul.
Which has faster internet, Istanbul or Ubud?
Istanbul has faster typical internet: 60 Mbps against 30 Mbps in Ubud.
| Line | Istanbul | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Rent | $650 | $550 |
| Food | $380 | $380 |
| Transport | $45 | $60 |
| Coworking | $110 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 30 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Ubud
Bali's wellness-and-yoga nomad hub inland from Canggu — jungle, cafes, strong community.
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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Istanbul November 1, 2026, Ubud August 30, 2026.