😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $634 in Bandung versus $578 in Mataram.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $945 in Bandung versus $867 in Mataram.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,257 in Bandung versus $1,157 in Mataram.
😐Living in Bandung is roughly 10% more expensive than Mataram, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Mataram57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.26Rp 22.6K
$1.06Rp 19.1K
18.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.09Rp 162.8K
$11.01Rp 197.3K
-17.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.30Rp 59.2K
$2.35Rp 42.2K
40.43%
Cappuccino
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.87Rp 33.5K
-20.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,831
$0.54Rp 9,705
-9.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,864
$0.36Rp 6,486
-25.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47Rp 62.2K
$2.54Rp 45.4K
36.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 64.0K
$3.77Rp 67.5K
-5.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.8K
$1.54Rp 27.6K
-20.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06Rp 19.0K
$1.67Rp 30.0K
-36.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95Rp 17.0K
$0.83Rp 14.9K
14.46%
Eggs
$1.60Rp 28.7K
$1.43Rp 25.5K
11.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.91Rp 159.6K
$3.19Rp 57.2K
179.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12Rp 55.9K
$3.59Rp 64.2K
-13.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.01Rp 143.6K
$6.10Rp 109.3K
31.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27Rp 40.7K
$1.64Rp 29.4K
38.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.2K
$1.26Rp 22.7K
2.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73Rp 30.9K
$1.85Rp 33.2K
-6.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.6K
$0.75Rp 13.4K
113.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40Rp 25.1K
$0.84Rp 15.0K
66.67%
Onion(1kg)
$2.68Rp 48.1K
$1.88Rp 33.7K
42.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$0.48Rp 8,621
85.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,114
$0.34Rp 6,097
32.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.5K
$1.80Rp 32.2K
37.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.04Rp 394.9K
$15.23Rp 272.9K
44.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.4K
$2.39Rp 42.8K
-12.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42Rp 61.4K
$3.80Rp 68.1K
-10.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,785
$0.64Rp 11.4K
-50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 189.4K
$18.26Rp 327.2K
-42.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.51Rp 9,057
39.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72Rp 12.8K
$0.29Rp 5,136
148.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.48Rp 44.4K
$2.99Rp 53.5K
-17.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 14.0K
$0.64Rp 11.5K
21.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 435.6M
$23.2KRp 415.3M
4.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRp 456.5M
$27.1KRp 486.3M
-6.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.19Rp 791.6K
$50.4Rp 902.3K
-12.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.66Rp 83.6K
$4.25Rp 76.2K
9.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.53Rp 403.7K
$19.16Rp 343.3K
17.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.16Rp 397.0K
$26.28Rp 470.9K
-15.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60Rp 118.2K
$7.75Rp 138.9K
-14.84%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.6K
$2.19Rp 39.2K
39.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.8Rp 1.7M
$90.9Rp 1.6M
2.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,565Rp 135.5M
$4,244Rp 76.0M
78.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.23Rp 738.6K
$37.49Rp 671.7K
9.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.03Rp 555.9K
$24.39Rp 437.0K
27.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.1Rp 1.1M
$61.0Rp 1.1M
-3.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.9Rp 1.1M
$40.32Rp 722.3K
58.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$242Rp 4.3M
$77.1Rp 1.4M
213.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$127Rp 2.3M
22.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$449Rp 8.1M
$156Rp 2.8M
188.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$257Rp 4.6M
-4.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$704Rp 12.6M
$1,135Rp 20.3M
-37.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$305Rp 5.5M
$700Rp 12.5M
-56.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$280Rp 5.0M
$197Rp 3.5M
42.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9
1.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: June 7, 2026
Last update for Mataram: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $242 in Bandung and $77.1 in Mataram. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 43% 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 $11.00 in Mataram. Groceries flip the comparison at $213 vs $176, with Mataram 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 Mataram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Mataram?
Mataram wins on cost – living expenses run 10% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mataram the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandung or Mataram?
Bandung pays 43% 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 Mataram?
Rent for a central apartment: $242 in Bandung versus $77.1 in Mataram. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or Mataram?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% 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 Mataram?
Dining out is cheaper in Mataram – a meal for two runs $11.00 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 Mataram?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Mataram 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 Mataram?
Both work as nomad bases, but Mataram delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $578 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Mataram hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandung compared to Mataram?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Mataram 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 Mataram 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.