🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $647 in Bandung versus $825 in Jakarta.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $949 in Bandung versus $1,356 in Jakarta.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,251 in Bandung versus $1,888 in Jakarta.
🙂Living in Bandung costs roughly 22% less than in Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung52% lower, Jakarta38% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.28Rp 22.9K
$2.99Rp 53.6K
-57.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.42Rp 168.9K
$18.68Rp 334.9K
-49.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.43Rp 61.5K
$3.64Rp 65.2K
-5.77%
Cappuccino
$1.44Rp 25.8K
$2.17Rp 38.9K
-33.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,717
$0.52Rp 9,298
-5.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,452
$0.26Rp 4,645
-3.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.28Rp 58.8K
$2.72Rp 48.7K
20.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 64.0K
$4.34Rp 77.8K
-17.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 21.2K
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-14.49%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.2K
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-7.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.9K
$0.98Rp 17.5K
-4.08%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-12.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.33Rp 167.3K
$6.57Rp 117.8K
42.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.02Rp 54.2K
$3.23Rp 57.8K
-6.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.92Rp 142.0K
$7.78Rp 139.5K
1.80%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37Rp 42.4K
$2.83Rp 50.7K
-16.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.9K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
-15.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69Rp 30.3K
$2.19Rp 39.3K
-22.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52Rp 27.2K
$1.49Rp 26.8K
2.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.5K
$1.79Rp 32.1K
-17.32%
Onion(1kg)
$2.67Rp 47.8K
$2.62Rp 47.0K
1.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.2K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-6.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,234
$0.46Rp 8,240
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.57Rp 46.0K
$3.09Rp 55.4K
-16.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.35Rp 400.7K
$21.09Rp 378.0K
5.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.6K
$2.21Rp 39.7K
-4.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49Rp 62.5K
$3.13Rp 56.1K
11.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,362
$0.23Rp 4,138
30.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 189.5K
$12.12Rp 217.2K
-12.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.58Rp 10.3K
31.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.34Rp 6,169
108.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.59Rp 46.4K
$3.05Rp 54.7K
-15.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.5K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
1.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KRp 437.0M
$31.3KRp 560.8M
-22.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4KRp 473.3M
$32.6KRp 585.1M
-19.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.12Rp 773.0K
$89.4Rp 1.6M
-51.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.52Rp 81.1K
$6.44Rp 115.5K
-29.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.94Rp 411.3K
$27.04Rp 484.7K
-15.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.48Rp 385.1K
$29.82Rp 534.6K
-27.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.62Rp 118.7K
$12.45Rp 223.2K
-46.83%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16Rp 56.6K
$3.05Rp 54.7K
3.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.4Rp 1.7M
$167Rp 3.0M
-43.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,577Rp 135.8M
$9,722Rp 174.3M
-22.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.84Rp 750.1K
$57.1Rp 1.0M
-26.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.57Rp 547.9K
$32.94Rp 590.4K
-7.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.2Rp 1.1M
$83.9Rp 1.5M
-29.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.7Rp 1.1M
$88.0Rp 1.6M
-27.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$234Rp 4.2M
$385Rp 6.9M
-39.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$238Rp 4.3M
-34.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$447Rp 8.0M
$1,152Rp 20.6M
-61.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247Rp 4.4M
$646Rp 11.6M
-61.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$723Rp 13.0M
$2,787Rp 50.0M
-74.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$309Rp 5.5M
$1,422Rp 25.5M
-78.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$284Rp 5.1M
$453Rp 8.1M
-37.40%
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: June 2, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $234 in Bandung and $385 in Jakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 60% 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 $19.00 in Jakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $215 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 27% 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 Jakarta?
On paper, Jakarta earns 60% less. 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 vs Jakarta?
Rent for a central apartment: $234 in Bandung versus $385 in Jakarta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or 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 vs Jakarta?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $19.00 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 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 $647 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 27% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.