Cost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and ManadoCost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and Manado
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $635 in Bandung versus $576 in Manado.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $934 in Bandung versus $905 in Manado.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,234 in Bandung versus $1,234 in Manado.
😐Living in Bandung is roughly 10% more expensive than Manado, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung52% lower, Manado57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.31Rp 23.2K
$1.21Rp 21.4K
8.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.21Rp 163.1K
$9.44Rp 167.3K
-2.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.36Rp 59.6K
$2.99Rp 53.0K
12.37%
Cappuccino
$1.50Rp 26.6K
$1.62Rp 28.6K
-7.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53Rp 9,322
$0.32Rp 5,702
65.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,830
$0.24Rp 4,239
12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47Rp 61.6K
$3.74Rp 66.2K
-7.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60Rp 63.8K
$5.69Rp 100.9K
-36.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23Rp 21.8K
$1.18Rp 20.9K
4.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.5K
$0.88Rp 15.6K
25.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.6K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
20.51%
Eggs
$1.52Rp 26.9K
$1.88Rp 33.4K
-19.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.25Rp 163.8K
$8.05Rp 142.6K
14.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.09Rp 54.7K
$3.11Rp 55.2K
-0.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.73Rp 136.9K
$7.77Rp 137.6K
-0.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.35Rp 41.7K
$2.84Rp 50.2K
-17.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 22.9K
$1.52Rp 26.9K
-15.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71Rp 30.3K
$1.80Rp 31.9K
-5.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58Rp 28.0K
$1.30Rp 23.0K
21.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40Rp 24.8K
$1.32Rp 23.4K
6.06%
Onion(1kg)
$2.56Rp 45.4K
$1.98Rp 35.0K
29.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.3K
$0.90Rp 15.9K
7.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,131
$0.48Rp 8,478
-4.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.58Rp 45.7K
$2.31Rp 40.9K
11.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.40Rp 396.8K
$21.06Rp 373.1K
6.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12Rp 37.6K
$1.76Rp 31.1K
20.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 63.3K
$3.16Rp 56.0K
12.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Manado
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,751
$0.32Rp 5,732
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.50Rp 185.9K
$9.64Rp 170.8K
8.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.75Rp 13.3K
$0.57Rp 10.0K
31.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77Rp 13.6K
$0.37Rp 6,599
108.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.45Rp 43.4K
$2.86Rp 50.7K
-14.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84Rp 14.8K
$0.81Rp 14.4K
3.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KRp 440.9M
$24.1KRp 426.9M
3.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4KRp 450.8M
$27.2KRp 482.4M
-6.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.15Rp 764.4K
$25.14Rp 445.4K
71.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.62Rp 81.8K
$4.27Rp 75.7K
8.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.12Rp 409.6K
$22.96Rp 406.8K
0.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.83Rp 386.8K
$18.34Rp 324.9K
19.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.56Rp 116.1K
$6.20Rp 109.8K
5.81%
Cinema Ticket
$3.01Rp 53.3K
$2.57Rp 45.5K
17.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.2Rp 1.6M
$93.4Rp 1.7M
-1.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,546Rp 133.7M
$5,239Rp 92.8M
44.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.50Rp 753.0K
$60.8Rp 1.1M
-30.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.38Rp 538.2K
$24.08Rp 426.6K
26.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.9Rp 1.0M
$95.6Rp 1.7M
-39.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.9Rp 1.1M
$72.4Rp 1.3M
-11.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Manado
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$235Rp 4.2M
$329Rp 5.8M
-28.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$155Rp 2.7M
$100Rp 1.8M
53.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454Rp 8.0M
$325Rp 5.8M
39.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$250Rp 4.4M
$191Rp 3.4M
30.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$724Rp 12.8M
$1,263Rp 22.4M
-42.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$305Rp 5.4M
$706Rp 12.5M
-56.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Manado
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$289Rp 5.1M
$218Rp 3.9M
32.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
10
-8.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: June 14, 2026
Last update for Manado: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $235 in Bandung and $329 in Manado. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 33% 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 Manado. Groceries flip the comparison at $215 vs $206, with Manado 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 Manado: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Manado?
Manado wins on cost – living expenses run 10% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Manado the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandung or Manado?
Bandung pays 33% 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 Manado?
Rent for a central apartment: $235 in Bandung versus $329 in Manado. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or Manado?
Supermarket bills run roughly 5% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung vs Manado?
Dining out is cheaper in Manado – 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 $1,000/month in Bandung or Manado?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Manado 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 Manado?
Both work as nomad bases, but Manado delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $576 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Manado hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandung compared to Manado?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Manado 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 Manado 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.