😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $651 in Bandung versus $638 in Tanjung Pinang.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $951 in Bandung versus $1,020 in Tanjung Pinang.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,250 in Bandung versus $1,401 in Tanjung Pinang.
🌍Living in Bandung is roughly 2% more expensive than in Tanjung Pinang, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Tanjung Pinang54% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.44Rp 25.3K
$3.41Rp 60.0K
-57.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.87Rp 244.2K
$13.86Rp 244.2K
0.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.35Rp 59.1K
$3.72Rp 65.5K
-9.95%
Cappuccino
$1.49Rp 26.3K
$1.42Rp 25.0K
4.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,137
$0.46Rp 8,047
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,033
$0.23Rp 4,018
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.05Rp 53.6K
$2.61Rp 46.1K
16.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06Rp 53.9K
$3.93Rp 69.3K
-22.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 20.3K
$1.14Rp 20.1K
0.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00Rp 17.6K
$1.25Rp 22.1K
-20.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83Rp 14.5K
$0.93Rp 16.3K
-10.75%
Eggs
$1.50Rp 26.3K
$1.49Rp 26.3K
0.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.37Rp 129.9K
$7.31Rp 128.8K
0.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.87Rp 50.6K
$2.92Rp 51.4K
-1.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.81Rp 137.5K
$8.54Rp 150.4K
-8.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.20Rp 38.8K
$2.41Rp 42.4K
-8.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06Rp 18.7K
$1.26Rp 22.2K
-15.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50Rp 26.5K
$1.85Rp 32.5K
-18.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.6K
$1.28Rp 22.5K
-26.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11Rp 19.5K
$1.17Rp 20.6K
-5.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.89Rp 33.3K
$2.09Rp 36.9K
-9.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71Rp 12.4K
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-7.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,663
$0.40Rp 6,973
10.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65Rp 46.7K
$2.68Rp 47.1K
-1.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.98Rp 404.7K
$18.31Rp 322.6K
25.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94Rp 34.2K
$1.81Rp 31.9K
7.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33Rp 58.6K
$2.79Rp 49.2K
19.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,161
$0.32Rp 5,665
-9.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.69Rp 170.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83Rp 14.6K
$0.50Rp 8,803
66.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.53Rp 9,248
$0.39Rp 6,834
35.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39Rp 42.0K
$2.65Rp 46.8K
-9.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84Rp 14.8K
$0.65Rp 11.5K
29.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9KRp 385.3M
$23.7KRp 418.0M
-7.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1KRp 512.7M
$29.9KRp 526.2M
-2.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$34.81Rp 613.1K
$60.1Rp 1.1M
-42.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.37Rp 77.0K
$4.06Rp 71.5K
7.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.10Rp 336.3K
$18.89Rp 332.7K
1.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.97Rp 334.2K
$20.13Rp 354.5K
-5.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.09Rp 107.3K
$9.27Rp 163.3K
-34.30%
Cinema Ticket
$2.79Rp 49.2K
$2.76Rp 48.5K
1.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.5Rp 1.7M
$102Rp 1.8M
-7.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,481Rp 149.4M
$8,975Rp 158.1M
-5.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.09Rp 688.4K
$42.82Rp 754.2K
-8.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.10Rp 582.9K
$33.21Rp 584.8K
-0.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.3Rp 1.4M
$72.7Rp 1.3M
6.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8Rp 1.3M
$74.1Rp 1.3M
-3.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$218Rp 3.8M
$201Rp 3.5M
8.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186Rp 3.3M
$168Rp 3.0M
10.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$384Rp 6.8M
$594Rp 10.5M
-35.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$266Rp 4.7M
$345Rp 6.1M
-22.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$723Rp 12.7M
$1,099Rp 19.3M
-34.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$312Rp 5.5M
$756Rp 13.3M
-58.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Tanjung Pinang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$288Rp 5.1M
$198Rp 3.5M
45.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.38
9.46
20.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: September 6, 2026
Last update for Tanjung Pinang: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $218 in Bandung and $201 in Tanjung Pinang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 45% 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: $14.00 in Bandung vs $14.00 in Tanjung Pinang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $196 vs $196 per month, with Bandung cheaper across the board.
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 Tanjung Pinang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Tanjung Pinang?
Tanjung Pinang wins on cost – living expenses run 2% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tanjung Pinang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandung or in Tanjung Pinang?
Average pay runs 45% 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 Tanjung Pinang?
Rent for a central apartment: $218 in Bandung versus $201 in Tanjung Pinang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Bandung and in Tanjung Pinang?
Childcare runs $94.5 in Bandung versus $102 in Tanjung Pinang. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung and in Tanjung Pinang?
Dining out is cheaper in Tanjung Pinang – a meal for two runs $14.00 versus $14.00 in Bandung. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandung or in Tanjung Pinang?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Tanjung Pinang 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 Tanjung Pinang?
Both work as nomad bases, but Tanjung Pinang delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $638 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Tanjung Pinang hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandung compared to Tanjung Pinang?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Tanjung Pinang 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 Tanjung Pinang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.