😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $628 in Bandung versus $573 in Magelang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $937 in Bandung versus $882 in Magelang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,247 in Bandung versus $1,192 in Magelang.
🌍Living in Bandung is roughly 10% more expensive than in Magelang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Magelang57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.30Rp 23.5K
$1.50Rp 27.1K
-13.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.27Rp 167.3K
$9.49Rp 171.3K
-2.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42Rp 61.8K
$2.85Rp 51.5K
20.00%
Cappuccino
$1.45Rp 26.2K
$0.87Rp 15.8K
66.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,955
$0.38Rp 6,872
31.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,465
$0.20Rp 3,637
25.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.36Rp 60.6K
$1.50Rp 27.1K
124.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61Rp 65.1K
$2.98Rp 53.8K
21.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.9K
$1.14Rp 20.7K
6.14%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.4K
$1.22Rp 22.0K
-12.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93Rp 16.8K
$0.83Rp 15.0K
12.05%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.6K
$1.45Rp 26.1K
8.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26Rp 167.2K
$7.17Rp 129.5K
29.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01Rp 54.4K
$2.51Rp 45.2K
19.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.86Rp 141.9K
$7.75Rp 140.0K
1.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.6K
$2.19Rp 39.5K
5.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.3K
$1.29Rp 23.3K
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.6K
$1.39Rp 25.1K
22.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.9K
$1.02Rp 18.4K
56.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.8K
$1.07Rp 19.3K
38.32%
Onion(1kg)
$2.65Rp 47.9K
$1.44Rp 26.0K
84.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.4K
$0.85Rp 15.3K
12.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,329
$0.37Rp 6,630
24.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.7K
$2.48Rp 44.7K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$21.80Rp 393.6K
$16.35Rp 295.2K
33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.7K
$1.70Rp 30.6K
22.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 61.9K
$2.29Rp 41.3K
49.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,346
$0.30Rp 5,402
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.23Rp 184.7K
$10.04Rp 181.2K
1.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70Rp 12.7K
$0.44Rp 7,994
59.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$0.31Rp 5,661
148.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.58Rp 46.5K
$2.51Rp 45.3K
2.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.3K
$0.77Rp 13.8K
2.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KRp 451.0M
$28.1KRp 507.0M
-11.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KRp 471.5M
$32.1KRp 579.3M
-18.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.55Rp 804.2K
$50.7Rp 914.5K
-12.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.69Rp 84.7K
$4.20Rp 75.8K
11.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.48Rp 405.8K
$19.83Rp 357.9K
13.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.87Rp 394.8K
$15.27Rp 275.6K
43.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.58Rp 118.8K
$3.93Rp 71.0K
67.43%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 56.1K
$2.73Rp 49.3K
13.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.2Rp 1.7M
$49.98Rp 902.3K
88.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,688Rp 138.8M
$4,352Rp 78.6M
76.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.35Rp 746.4K
$21.29Rp 384.3K
94.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.15Rp 562.3K
$21.69Rp 391.6K
43.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.2Rp 1.1M
$63.7Rp 1.1M
-8.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.6Rp 1.1M
$57.6Rp 1.0M
10.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$240Rp 4.3M
$262Rp 4.7M
-8.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.8M
$155Rp 2.8M
-0.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454Rp 8.2M
$579Rp 10.4M
-21.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$330Rp 6.0M
-25.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$727Rp 13.1M
$1,132Rp 20.4M
-35.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$308Rp 5.6M
$682Rp 12.3M
-54.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Magelang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$283Rp 5.1M
$171Rp 3.1M
65.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
8.33
9.84%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: July 27, 2026
Last update for Magelang: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $240 in Bandung and $262 in Magelang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 66% 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 $9.00 in Magelang. Groceries flip the comparison at $213 vs $179, with Magelang 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 Magelang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Magelang?
Magelang wins on cost – living expenses run 10% 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 66% 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: $240 in Bandung versus $262 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 19% 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 $9.00 versus $9.00 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 $573 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 10% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.