🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $626 in Bandung versus $840 in Jakarta.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $941 in Bandung versus $1,379 in Jakarta.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,255 in Bandung versus $1,919 in Jakarta.
🌍Living in Bandung costs roughly 25% less than in Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Jakarta37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.32Rp 23.5K
$3.11Rp 55.7K
-57.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.48Rp 169.6K
$18.11Rp 323.9K
-47.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.31Rp 59.1K
$3.46Rp 62.0K
-4.34%
Cappuccino
$1.49Rp 26.6K
$2.10Rp 37.6K
-29.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,331
$0.55Rp 9,863
-5.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,866
$0.28Rp 5,063
-3.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.31Rp 59.3K
$2.82Rp 50.5K
17.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52Rp 62.9K
$4.21Rp 75.3K
-16.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.7K
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-9.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.1K
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-7.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95Rp 17.1K
$0.95Rp 16.9K
-
Eggs
$1.59Rp 28.5K
$1.80Rp 32.2K
-11.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.96Rp 160.3K
$6.49Rp 116.1K
38.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.14Rp 56.2K
$3.23Rp 57.8K
-2.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.08Rp 144.5K
$7.55Rp 135.1K
7.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37Rp 42.5K
$2.93Rp 52.3K
-19.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.2K
$1.61Rp 28.7K
-19.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73Rp 30.9K
$2.27Rp 40.6K
-23.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$1.56Rp 27.9K
1.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.46Rp 26.0K
$1.79Rp 32.1K
-18.44%
Onion(1kg)
$2.70Rp 48.3K
$2.61Rp 46.8K
3.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90Rp 16.2K
$1.06Rp 19.0K
-15.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,563
$0.46Rp 8,247
-8.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.53Rp 45.2K
$2.99Rp 53.6K
-15.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.74Rp 389.0K
$20.56Rp 367.8K
5.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12Rp 37.9K
$2.21Rp 39.5K
-4.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54Rp 63.4K
$3.24Rp 58.0K
9.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,345
$0.21Rp 3,743
42.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.26Rp 183.5K
$12.21Rp 218.4K
-15.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70Rp 12.6K
$0.54Rp 9,579
29.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.37Rp 6,650
105.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.59Rp 46.3K
$3.12Rp 55.7K
-16.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.5K
$0.80Rp 14.3K
1.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KRp 436.8M
$30.2KRp 540.3M
-19.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KRp 460.7M
$32.7KRp 585.3M
-21.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.02Rp 787.6K
$89.4Rp 1.6M
-50.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.47Rp 80.0K
$6.51Rp 116.4K
-31.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.86Rp 409.0K
$27.21Rp 486.7K
-15.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.68Rp 387.9K
$29.97Rp 536.2K
-27.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60Rp 118.1K
$12.61Rp 225.7K
-47.66%
Cinema Ticket
$3.13Rp 56.1K
$3.10Rp 55.4K
0.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.0Rp 1.7M
$166Rp 3.0M
-44.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,512Rp 134.4M
$9,566Rp 171.1M
-21.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.31Rp 739.1K
$57.5Rp 1.0M
-28.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.79Rp 550.8K
$33.85Rp 605.5K
-9.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.6Rp 1.0M
$82.3Rp 1.5M
-28.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.3Rp 1.2M
$90.3Rp 1.6M
-28.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$235Rp 4.2M
$381Rp 6.8M
-38.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152Rp 2.7M
$236Rp 4.2M
-35.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$464Rp 8.3M
$1,152Rp 20.6M
-59.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247Rp 4.4M
$660Rp 11.8M
-62.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$705Rp 12.6M
$2,958Rp 52.9M
-76.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$305Rp 5.5M
$1,431Rp 25.6M
-78.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$277Rp 5.0M
$421Rp 7.5M
-34.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9.59
-4.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: July 12, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $235 in Bandung and $381 in Jakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 52% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Bandung vs $18.00 in Jakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $214 vs $214 per month, with Bandung cheaper across the board.
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 Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Jakarta?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 34% lower than in Jakarta. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandung or in Jakarta?
On paper, salaries run 52% lower in Jakarta. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bandung compared to Jakarta?
Rent for a central apartment: $235 in Bandung versus $381 in Jakarta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or in Jakarta?
Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Jakarta. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung and in Jakarta?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $18.00 in Jakarta. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandung or in Jakarta?
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 Jakarta?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $626 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 Jakarta?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Jakarta 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 34% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.