Find Your Long-term Home, Business space or Land in Bali.
Connect Directly With Verified Property Owners
Canggu suits digital nomads who want surf, cafes, nightlife, and a large social scene. Ubud suits creatives, yoga practitioners, and anyone who prefers rice fields, cooler temperatures, and lower prices. Canggu costs 30 to 40 percent more for rent. Ubud is quieter and more connected to Balinese culture.
These two areas attract different types of expats. Here is a direct comparison across the factors that matter most for long-term living.
Full Comparison
| Factor | Canggu | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed villa (monthly) | $800 - $1,500 | $600 - $1,200 |
| 2-bed villa (monthly) | $1,200 - $2,500 | $900 - $1,800 |
| Internet speed | 100+ Mbps fiber (Biznet) widely available | 50-100 Mbps, varies by location |
| Coworking spaces | 10+ (Dojo, Outpost, B-Work, ZIN, Tribal) | 3-5 (Hubud, Outpost Ubud, Livit Hub) |
| Cafe latte price | $3.00 - $4.50 | $2.50 - $3.50 |
| Warung meal | $2 - $3 | $1.50 - $2.50 |
| Mid-range dinner | $8 - $15 | $6 - $12 |
| Traffic | Heavy (especially Berawa, Batu Bolong) | Moderate in center, light outside |
| Beach access | Direct (multiple surf breaks) | None (30+ minutes drive to coast) |
| Airport distance | 45-60 minutes | 60-90 minutes |
| Nightlife | Active (beach clubs, bars, live music) | Limited (some bars, closes early) |
| Yoga and wellness | Good (studios scattered) | Excellent (Bali's yoga capital) |
| Nature | Beach, rice fields (diminishing) | Rice terraces, jungle, rivers, waterfalls |
| Temperature | Hot and humid (28-33°C) | Slightly cooler (25-30°C, higher elevation) |
| Expat community | Large, young, social | Moderate, creative, health-focused |
All villa prices are based on verified listings on Property Plaza. Compare Canggu villas and Ubud villas side by side.
Ubud wins on cost across almost every category.
Monthly Budget Comparison (Mid-Range Lifestyle)
| Category | Canggu | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Villa rent (1-bed with pool) | $1,200 | $800 |
| Electricity | $100 - $150 | $60 - $100 |
| Internet | $40 - $60 | $30 - $50 |
| Food and dining | $500 - $700 | $350 - $500 |
| Scooter rental + fuel | $70 - $90 | $60 - $80 |
| Coworking | $100 - $200 | $80 - $150 |
| Entertainment | $150 - $300 | $80 - $150 |
| Total | $2,160 - $2,700 | $1,460 - $1,830 |
That is a difference of $700 to $900 per month, or $8,400 to $10,800 per year. If budget is a priority, Ubud gives you a similar quality of life for significantly less.
The biggest saving is rent. A well-maintained 1-bedroom villa with a pool and rice field view in Ubud costs $800 per month. The same quality in Canggu starts at $1,200.
Internet: Canggu has the edge. Biznet fiber coverage is widespread, and most villas in the Berawa and Batu Bolong corridors offer 100 Mbps or faster. In Ubud, fiber is available in the town center and along main roads, but coverage drops off in more rural areas. Always ask the villa owner for a speed test before committing.
Coworking: Canggu has more options and more variety. Dojo Bali was one of Asia's first coworking spaces for digital nomads. Outpost, B-Work, and ZIN offer modern alternatives. Prices range from $100 to $250 per month for a hot desk.
Ubud has fewer but solid options. Hubud (now under new management) remains popular. Outpost Ubud and Livit Hub are reliable. Prices are $80 to $150 per month.
If you need reliable video calls and fast upload speeds for your work, Canggu is the safer bet. If you primarily work from your villa and only need occasional coworking, Ubud is fine.
Canggu is social by default. You will meet people at coworking spaces, surf lineups, beach clubs, and the countless cafes along Batu Bolong and Berawa. There are weekly events, networking meetups, and a large international community. If you arrive solo, you will have a social circle within a week.
The downside: Canggu can feel transient. Many people stay only 1 to 3 months. Long-term friendships take more effort because the community rotates quickly.
Ubud is quieter and more intentional. The social scene revolves around yoga studios, art workshops, healing circles, and smaller cafe gatherings. The community is tighter because fewer people come and go. You will meet people who have lived there for years.
The downside: if you are not into yoga, wellness, or art, the social options narrow quickly. Nightlife is minimal. Most restaurants and bars close by 10 PM.
For couples: Both areas work well. Canggu if you want an active lifestyle with options. Ubud if you want quality time together in a peaceful setting.
For solo arrivals: Canggu is easier to make friends fast. Ubud requires more effort but offers deeper connections.
Digital nomads: Canggu. More coworking spaces, faster internet, larger nomad community, more networking events.
Surfers: Canggu. Batu Bolong for beginners, Echo Beach for intermediates, Pererenan for less crowded waves. Ubud has no surf access.
Yoga practitioners: Ubud. The Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive, and dozens of smaller studios. Bali's spiritual center.
Writers and creatives: Ubud. Quieter environment, inspiring landscapes, fewer distractions.
Families: Neither is ideal (Sanur is better), but Ubud offers more nature, lower traffic, and a calmer environment for children.
Retirees: Ubud. Lower cost, cooler temperatures, less traffic, stronger connection to Balinese culture.
Foodies: Canggu for international variety. Ubud for plant-based, organic, and health-focused dining.
Party people: Canggu. Not even close.
Yes, and you should. Many expats rent monthly in one area for 1 to 2 months, then move to the other.
Suggested approach:
Monthly rentals cost 15 to 30 percent more than yearly rates, but the flexibility is worth it when you are still deciding. On Property Plaza, you can filter by monthly or yearly availability and deal directly with owners. No agent fees, no commission.
Both areas are safe for expats. Ubud has less traffic and fewer scooter accidents, which makes it slightly safer overall. Canggu has more traffic congestion, and the main roads (Jl. Pantai Berawa, Jl. Batu Bolong) can be risky during peak hours. Petty theft is rare in both areas but can happen anywhere. Lock your villa and do not leave valuables visible.
In the town center, yes. You can walk to many cafes, restaurants, and yoga studios. But for grocery shopping, visiting rice terraces, or getting to villas outside the center, a scooter is almost necessary. Grab and Gojek work in Ubud but with fewer drivers than Canggu, so wait times can be longer.
Canggu has more variety: Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, and everything in between. Ubud has a stronger plant-based and organic food scene, with excellent raw food restaurants, vegan cafes, and traditional Balinese cuisine. Both areas have affordable local warungs.
Not anymore. Internet infrastructure has improved significantly. The town center and main roads have Biznet and IndiHome fiber. Coworking spaces like Hubud and Outpost Ubud offer reliable 50-100 Mbps connections. The main challenge is finding a villa in a rural location with fiber access. Always verify internet before signing a lease.
About 25 to 35 kilometers, depending on exact locations. The drive takes 50 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. During peak hours (8-10 AM and 4-7 PM), the route through Denpasar can take over 90 minutes. Many expats who live in one area visit the other for day trips, but commuting daily is not practical.
Property Plaza verifies every listing and takes no commission — see how listings are verified or how it works.