😐A single person spends $634 per month in Bandung vs $583 in Banda Aceh, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $945 per month in Bandung vs $903 in Banda Aceh, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,257 per month in Bandung vs $1,223 in Banda Aceh, rent included.
😐Bandung costs about 9% more than Banda Aceh, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Bandung and Banda Aceh are more affordable than the global median – Bandung53% lower, Banda Aceh57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.26Rp 22.6K
$1.55Rp 27.8K
-18.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.09Rp 162.8K
$12.53Rp 224.5K
-27.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.30Rp 59.2K
$3.42Rp 61.2K
-3.51%
Cappuccino
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.14Rp 20.4K
30.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,831
$0.51Rp 9,196
-3.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,864
$0.28Rp 5,070
-3.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47Rp 62.2K
$2.42Rp 43.3K
43.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 64.0K
$3.44Rp 61.7K
3.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.8K
$1.22Rp 21.9K
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.06Rp 19.0K
$1.18Rp 21.2K
-10.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95Rp 17.0K
$0.58Rp 10.4K
63.79%
Eggs
$1.60Rp 28.7K
$1.60Rp 28.6K
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.91Rp 159.6K
$8.13Rp 145.7K
9.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12Rp 55.9K
$3.22Rp 57.6K
-3.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.01Rp 143.6K
$7.74Rp 138.7K
3.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27Rp 40.7K
$2.41Rp 43.2K
-5.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.2K
$1.43Rp 25.7K
-9.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73Rp 30.9K
$1.86Rp 33.3K
-6.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.6K
$1.52Rp 27.2K
5.26%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40Rp 25.1K
$1.33Rp 23.8K
5.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.68Rp 48.1K
$1.89Rp 33.8K
41.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$0.90Rp 16.1K
-1.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,114
$0.41Rp 7,426
9.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.5K
$2.56Rp 45.9K
-3.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.04Rp 394.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.4K
$2.05Rp 36.7K
1.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42Rp 61.4K
$3.16Rp 56.7K
8.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,785
$0.30Rp 5,318
6.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 189.4K
$10.10Rp 180.9K
4.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.53Rp 9,424
33.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72Rp 12.8K
$0.38Rp 6,741
89.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.48Rp 44.4K
$2.99Rp 53.5K
-17.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 14.0K
$0.60Rp 10.7K
30.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 435.6M
$24.9KRp 445.3M
-2.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRp 456.5M
$27.4KRp 491.5M
-7.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.19Rp 791.6K
$68.5Rp 1.2M
-35.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.66Rp 83.6K
$4.40Rp 78.8K
5.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.53Rp 403.7K
$23.25Rp 416.6K
-3.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.16Rp 397.0K
$22.74Rp 407.4K
-2.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60Rp 118.2K
$6.18Rp 110.8K
6.80%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.6K
$3.12Rp 55.8K
-2.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.8Rp 1.7M
$94.1Rp 1.7M
-1.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,565Rp 135.5M
$7,656Rp 137.2M
-1.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.23Rp 738.6K
$32.50Rp 582.2K
26.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.03Rp 555.9K
$23.01Rp 412.2K
34.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.1Rp 1.1M
$35.01Rp 627.3K
68.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.9Rp 1.1M
$33.18Rp 594.4K
92.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$242Rp 4.3M
$256Rp 4.6M
-5.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$160Rp 2.9M
-2.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$449Rp 8.1M
$595Rp 10.7M
-24.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$339Rp 6.1M
-27.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$704Rp 12.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$305Rp 5.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Banda Aceh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$280Rp 5.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9.15
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: June 7, 2026
Last update for Banda Aceh: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $242 in Bandung versus $256 in Banda Aceh. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Bandung versus $13.00 in Banda Aceh. Groceries tell a different story – $213 in Bandung vs $165 in Banda Aceh – so Banda Aceh 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
Bandung vs Banda Aceh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banda Aceh cheaper than Bandung?
Yes – Bandung is pricier by about 9%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $951 per month in Bandung and $875 in Banda Aceh. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Banda Aceh, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $92.8 per month in Bandung and $94.1 in Banda Aceh. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Bandung and Banda Aceh?
Groceries cost about 29% more in Bandung, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 enough for either Bandung or Banda Aceh?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $634 in Bandung and $583 in Banda Aceh, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Bandung or Banda Aceh more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Banda Aceh – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Bandung or Banda Aceh?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Banda Aceh. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bandung makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.