🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $647 in Bandung versus $662 in Makassar.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $949 in Bandung versus $1,005 in Makassar.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,251 in Bandung versus $1,347 in Makassar.
🙂Living in Bandung costs roughly 2% less than in Makassar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung52% lower, Makassar51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.28Rp 22.8K
$3.13Rp 55.9K
-59.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.42Rp 168.2K
$9.45Rp 168.8K
-0.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.43Rp 61.3K
$2.98Rp 53.2K
15.10%
Cappuccino
$1.44Rp 25.7K
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-17.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,684
$0.71Rp 12.7K
-30.99%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,435
$0.39Rp 6,976
-35.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.28Rp 58.6K
$3.67Rp 65.5K
-10.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 63.7K
$3.72Rp 66.4K
-4.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 21.1K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
-27.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.2K
$1.09Rp 19.4K
-1.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.8K
$0.64Rp 11.5K
46.87%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.1K
$1.44Rp 25.8K
9.72%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.33Rp 166.6K
$5.49Rp 98.0K
69.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.02Rp 54.0K
$2.77Rp 49.5K
9.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.92Rp 141.5K
$4.36Rp 77.8K
81.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37Rp 42.2K
$2.29Rp 40.9K
3.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.8K
$1.64Rp 29.3K
-18.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69Rp 30.2K
$1.85Rp 33.0K
-8.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52Rp 27.1K
$1.57Rp 28.0K
-3.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.4K
$1.26Rp 22.5K
17.46%
Onion(1kg)
$2.67Rp 47.6K
$1.56Rp 27.9K
71.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.2K
$0.41Rp 7,381
134.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,203
$0.47Rp 8,440
-2.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.57Rp 45.8K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
0.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.35Rp 399.2K
$22.53Rp 402.4K
-0.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.5K
$2.10Rp 37.4K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49Rp 62.3K
$2.48Rp 44.3K
40.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,342
$0.32Rp 5,720
-6.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 188.8K
$4.51Rp 80.5K
134.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.56Rp 10.0K
35.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71Rp 12.6K
$0.29Rp 5,115
144.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.59Rp 46.2K
$3.03Rp 54.1K
-14.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.4K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
3.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KRp 435.3M
$16.8KRp 299.6M
45.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4KRp 471.5M
$18.7KRp 334.7M
40.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.12Rp 770.0K
$66.5Rp 1.2M
-35.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.52Rp 80.8K
$3.50Rp 62.5K
29.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.94Rp 409.7K
$32.44Rp 579.2K
-29.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.48Rp 383.6K
$23.28Rp 415.8K
-7.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.62Rp 118.3K
$6.03Rp 107.6K
9.78%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16Rp 56.4K
$3.16Rp 56.4K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.4Rp 1.7M
$106Rp 1.9M
-11.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,577Rp 135.3M
$4,097Rp 73.2M
84.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.84Rp 747.3K
$30.05Rp 536.6K
39.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.57Rp 545.8K
$25.17Rp 449.4K
21.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.2Rp 1.1M
$81.8Rp 1.5M
-27.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.7Rp 1.1M
$43.93Rp 784.5K
45.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$234Rp 4.2M
$212Rp 3.8M
10.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$168Rp 3.0M
-7.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$447Rp 8.0M
$438Rp 7.8M
1.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247Rp 4.4M
$333Rp 5.9M
-25.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$723Rp 12.9M
$1,167Rp 20.8M
-37.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$309Rp 5.5M
$737Rp 13.2M
-58.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Makassar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$284Rp 5.1M
$218Rp 3.9M
30.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
6
52.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: June 2, 2026
Last update for Makassar: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $234 in Bandung and $212 in Makassar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 30% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Bandung vs $9.00 in Makassar. Groceries flip the comparison at $215 vs $190, with Makassar 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 Makassar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Makassar?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 2% lower than in Makassar. 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 Makassar?
Bandung pays 30% more on average, 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 vs Makassar?
Rent for a central apartment: $234 in Bandung versus $212 in Makassar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or Makassar?
Shoppers in Makassar pay roughly 13% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung vs Makassar?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $9.00 in Makassar. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandung or Makassar?
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 Makassar?
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 Makassar?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Makassar 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 2% less than in Makassar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.