😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $645 in Bandung versus $537 in Magelang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $942 in Bandung versus $837 in Magelang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,239 in Bandung versus $1,137 in Magelang.
🌍Living in Bandung is roughly 20% more expensive than in Magelang, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Magelang61% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.40Rp 24.9K
$1.38Rp 24.4K
1.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.00Rp 247.9K
$8.25Rp 146.1K
69.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.35Rp 59.3K
$2.73Rp 48.3K
22.71%
Cappuccino
$1.55Rp 27.5K
$0.77Rp 13.6K
101.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,040
$0.35Rp 6,229
28.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,043
$0.18Rp 3,214
27.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21Rp 56.8K
$1.38Rp 24.4K
132.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15Rp 55.8K
$2.76Rp 48.8K
14.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10Rp 19.5K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
3.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.04Rp 18.4K
$1.16Rp 20.6K
-10.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88Rp 15.6K
$0.81Rp 14.3K
8.64%
Eggs
$1.44Rp 25.5K
$1.21Rp 21.4K
19.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.32Rp 129.6K
$6.73Rp 119.2K
8.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.85Rp 50.5K
$2.41Rp 42.7K
18.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.24Rp 145.9K
$7.03Rp 124.4K
17.21%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 40.6K
$2.03Rp 35.9K
12.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.12Rp 19.7K
$1.14Rp 20.2K
-1.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.4K
$1.30Rp 23.0K
14.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.95Rp 16.8K
$0.90Rp 16.0K
5.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11Rp 19.6K
$1.00Rp 17.7K
11.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90Rp 33.7K
$1.40Rp 24.8K
35.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66Rp 11.6K
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-14.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,252
$0.37Rp 6,496
10.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79Rp 49.4K
$1.95Rp 34.6K
43.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.80Rp 403.8K
$17.10Rp 302.7K
33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93Rp 34.1K
$1.52Rp 26.8K
26.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35Rp 59.3K
$2.20Rp 39.0K
52.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,725
$0.29Rp 5,177
-6.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.57Rp 169.5K
$8.70Rp 154.1K
10.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.81Rp 14.4K
$0.46Rp 8,164
76.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.55Rp 9,759
$0.35Rp 6,219
57.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.34Rp 41.5K
$2.30Rp 40.7K
1.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$0.71Rp 12.5K
9.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KRp 375.9M
$25.7KRp 455.8M
-17.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5KRp 522.2M
$29.6KRp 524.1M
-0.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.79Rp 598.3K
$46.91Rp 830.6K
-27.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.39Rp 77.7K
$4.00Rp 70.9K
9.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.60Rp 347.0K
$19.93Rp 352.9K
-1.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.96Rp 335.7K
$13.84Rp 245.1K
36.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.92Rp 104.9K
$3.77Rp 66.8K
57.03%
Cinema Ticket
$2.88Rp 51.1K
$2.52Rp 44.6K
14.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.8Rp 1.7M
$45.71Rp 809.3K
105.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,255Rp 146.2M
$3,913Rp 69.3M
110.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.76Rp 704.0K
$20.17Rp 357.1K
97.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.16Rp 587.1K
$20.11Rp 356.1K
64.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.5Rp 1.4M
$57.9Rp 1.0M
33.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5Rp 1.2M
$54.6Rp 966.4K
29.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$222Rp 3.9M
$232Rp 4.1M
-4.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$182Rp 3.2M
$158Rp 2.8M
15.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$390Rp 6.9M
$568Rp 10.1M
-31.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$269Rp 4.8M
$373Rp 6.6M
-27.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$738Rp 13.1M
$1,201Rp 21.3M
-38.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$311Rp 5.5M
$664Rp 11.8M
-53.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$285Rp 5.1M
$178Rp 3.2M
60.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.38
7.5
51.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: September 13, 2026
Last update for Magelang: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $222 in Bandung and $232 in Magelang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung 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: $14.00 in Bandung vs $8.00 in Magelang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $197 vs $170 per month, with Magelang 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 Magelang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Magelang?
Magelang wins on cost – living expenses run 20% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Magelang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandung or in Magelang?
Average pay runs 60% higher in Bandung, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bandung compared to Magelang?
Rent for a central apartment: $222 in Bandung versus $232 in Magelang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or in Magelang?
Supermarket bills run roughly 16% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung and in Magelang?
Dining out is cheaper in Magelang – a meal for two runs $8.00 versus $14.00 in Bandung. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Bandung or in Magelang?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Magelang 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 Magelang?
Both work as nomad bases, but Magelang delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $537 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Magelang hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandung compared to Magelang?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Magelang 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 Magelang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.