Cost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and BinjaiCost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and Binjai
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $628 in Bandung versus $653 in Binjai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $937 in Bandung versus $1,019 in Binjai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,247 in Bandung versus $1,385 in Binjai.
🌍Living in Bandung costs roughly 4% less than in Binjai, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Binjai51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.30Rp 23.5K
$1.58Rp 28.5K
-17.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.27Rp 167.3K
$12.51Rp 225.9K
-25.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42Rp 61.8K
$3.47Rp 62.6K
-1.44%
Cappuccino
$1.45Rp 26.2K
$1.65Rp 29.8K
-12.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,955
$0.55Rp 10.0K
-9.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,465
$0.28Rp 5,074
-10.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.36Rp 60.6K
$2.52Rp 45.5K
33.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61Rp 65.1K
$3.45Rp 62.4K
4.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.9K
$1.17Rp 21.1K
3.42%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.4K
$1.12Rp 20.3K
-4.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93Rp 16.8K
$0.87Rp 15.7K
6.90%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.6K
$1.60Rp 29.0K
-1.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26Rp 167.2K
$8.16Rp 147.3K
13.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01Rp 54.4K
$3.25Rp 58.7K
-7.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.86Rp 141.9K
$8.07Rp 145.7K
-2.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.6K
$2.42Rp 43.6K
-4.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.3K
$1.50Rp 27.0K
-14.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.6K
$1.87Rp 33.7K
-9.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.9K
$1.49Rp 26.9K
7.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.8K
$1.38Rp 24.9K
7.25%
Onion(1kg)
$2.65Rp 47.9K
$1.89Rp 34.2K
40.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.4K
$0.89Rp 16.1K
7.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,329
$0.45Rp 8,081
2.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.7K
$2.47Rp 44.6K
0.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.80Rp 393.6K
$21.96Rp 396.5K
-0.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.7K
$2.02Rp 36.5K
3.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 61.9K
$3.08Rp 55.6K
11.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,346
$0.29Rp 5,319
3.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.23Rp 184.7K
$10.06Rp 181.6K
1.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70Rp 12.7K
$0.57Rp 10.3K
22.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$0.34Rp 6,202
126.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.58Rp 46.5K
$2.86Rp 51.6K
-9.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.3K
$0.82Rp 14.8K
-3.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KRp 451.0M
$25.0KRp 451.5M
-0.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KRp 471.5M
$27.6KRp 498.8M
-5.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.55Rp 804.2K
$69.5Rp 1.3M
-35.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.69Rp 84.7K
$4.37Rp 78.9K
7.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.48Rp 405.8K
$22.87Rp 412.8K
-1.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.87Rp 394.8K
$23.23Rp 419.3K
-5.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.58Rp 118.8K
$5.99Rp 108.1K
9.85%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 56.1K
$3.08Rp 55.6K
0.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.2Rp 1.7M
$94.9Rp 1.7M
-0.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,688Rp 138.8M
$7,692Rp 138.9M
-0.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.35Rp 746.4K
$41.13Rp 742.5K
0.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.15Rp 562.3K
$30.39Rp 548.7K
2.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.2Rp 1.1M
$66.1Rp 1.2M
-11.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.6Rp 1.1M
$73.7Rp 1.3M
-13.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$240Rp 4.3M
$253Rp 4.6M
-5.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.8M
$159Rp 2.9M
-3.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454Rp 8.2M
$581Rp 10.5M
-21.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$330Rp 6.0M
-25.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$727Rp 13.1M
$1,020Rp 18.4M
-28.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$308Rp 5.6M
$715Rp 12.9M
-56.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Binjai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$283Rp 5.1M
-
-
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Binjai: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $240 in Bandung and $253 in Binjai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Bandung vs $13.00 in Binjai. Groceries flip the comparison at $213 vs $211, with Binjai cheaper for home cooking.
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 Binjai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Binjai?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 4% lower than in Binjai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bandung and in Binjai?
You'd need roughly $942 in Bandung and $979 in Binjai to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bandung compared to Binjai?
Rent for a central apartment: $240 in Bandung versus $253 in Binjai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or in Binjai?
Shoppers in Binjai pay roughly 1% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung and in Binjai?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $13.00 in Binjai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandung or in Binjai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Bandung gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Bandung or Binjai?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $628 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bandung hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandung compared to Binjai?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Binjai are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bandung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Binjai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.