😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $628 in Bandung versus $558 in Mataram.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $937 in Bandung versus $861 in Mataram.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,247 in Bandung versus $1,163 in Mataram.
🌍Living in Bandung is roughly 13% more expensive than in Mataram, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Mataram58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.30Rp 23.5K
$1.11Rp 20.1K
17.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.27Rp 167.3K
$11.00Rp 198.5K
-15.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42Rp 61.8K
$2.28Rp 41.1K
50.00%
Cappuccino
$1.45Rp 26.2K
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-19.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,955
$0.55Rp 9,869
-9.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,465
$0.36Rp 6,535
-30.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.36Rp 60.6K
$2.63Rp 47.5K
27.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61Rp 65.1K
$3.67Rp 66.2K
-1.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.9K
$1.53Rp 27.7K
-20.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.4K
$1.61Rp 29.1K
-33.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93Rp 16.8K
$0.76Rp 13.8K
22.37%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.6K
$1.37Rp 24.8K
15.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26Rp 167.2K
$3.31Rp 59.7K
179.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01Rp 54.4K
$3.59Rp 64.8K
-16.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.86Rp 141.9K
$5.99Rp 108.2K
31.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.6K
$1.72Rp 31.0K
34.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.3K
$1.22Rp 22.0K
5.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.6K
$1.89Rp 34.1K
-10.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.9K
$0.75Rp 13.5K
113.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.8K
$0.84Rp 15.2K
76.19%
Onion(1kg)
$2.65Rp 47.9K
$1.80Rp 32.5K
47.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.4K
$0.48Rp 8,639
100.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,329
$0.32Rp 5,695
43.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.7K
$1.78Rp 32.1K
39.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.80Rp 393.6K
$15.33Rp 276.7K
42.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.7K
$2.36Rp 42.6K
-11.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 61.9K
$3.58Rp 64.6K
-4.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,346
$0.63Rp 11.5K
-52.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.23Rp 184.7K
$18.41Rp 332.4K
-44.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70Rp 12.7K
$0.51Rp 9,185
37.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$0.31Rp 5,661
148.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.58Rp 46.5K
$3.08Rp 55.7K
-16.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.3K
$0.69Rp 12.4K
14.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KRp 451.0M
$23.3KRp 420.7M
7.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KRp 471.5M
$27.5KRp 496.7M
-5.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.55Rp 804.2K
$50.4Rp 909.6K
-11.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.69Rp 84.7K
$4.32Rp 78.1K
8.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.48Rp 405.8K
$19.37Rp 349.8K
16.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.87Rp 394.8K
$26.95Rp 486.5K
-18.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.58Rp 118.8K
$7.48Rp 135.0K
-12.03%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 56.1K
$2.10Rp 38.0K
48.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.2Rp 1.7M
$91.5Rp 1.7M
3.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,688Rp 138.8M
$4,217Rp 76.1M
82.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.35Rp 746.4K
$36.84Rp 665.2K
12.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.15Rp 562.3K
$24.43Rp 441.0K
27.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.2Rp 1.1M
$61.5Rp 1.1M
-5.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.6Rp 1.1M
$40.48Rp 730.8K
57.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$240Rp 4.3M
$76.8Rp 1.4M
212.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.8M
$128Rp 2.3M
20.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454Rp 8.2M
$153Rp 2.8M
195.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$259Rp 4.7M
-5.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$727Rp 13.1M
$1,155Rp 20.8M
-37.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$308Rp 5.6M
$679Rp 12.3M
-54.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Mataram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$283Rp 5.1M
$192Rp 3.5M
47.18%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Mataram: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $240 in Bandung and $76.8 in Mataram. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 47% 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 $174, 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 13% 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 in Mataram?
Average pay runs 47% 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 Mataram?
Rent for a central apartment: $240 in Bandung versus $76.8 in Mataram. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or in Mataram?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% 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 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 in 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 $558 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 13% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.