Cost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and TimikaCost of Living Comparison Between Bandung and Timika
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $634 in Bandung versus $668 in Timika.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $945 in Bandung versus $1,027 in Timika.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,257 in Bandung versus $1,386 in Timika.
🙂Living in Bandung costs roughly 5% less than in Timika, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bandung53% lower, Timika50% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.26Rp 22.6K
$1.56Rp 27.9K
-19.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.09Rp 162.8K
$12.22Rp 218.9K
-25.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.30Rp 59.2K
$3.31Rp 59.4K
-0.30%
Cappuccino
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.65Rp 29.6K
-9.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,831
$0.51Rp 9,102
-3.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,864
$0.28Rp 5,046
-3.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47Rp 62.2K
$2.43Rp 43.5K
42.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57Rp 64.0K
$3.59Rp 64.3K
-0.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.8K
$1.23Rp 22.1K
-0.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06Rp 19.0K
$1.18Rp 21.2K
-10.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95Rp 17.0K
$0.94Rp 16.9K
1.06%
Eggs
$1.60Rp 28.7K
$1.59Rp 28.6K
0.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.91Rp 159.6K
$7.91Rp 141.8K
12.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12Rp 55.9K
$3.10Rp 55.5K
0.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.01Rp 143.6K
$7.92Rp 141.9K
1.14%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27Rp 40.7K
$2.42Rp 43.3K
-6.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.2K
$1.51Rp 27.0K
-14.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73Rp 30.9K
$1.79Rp 32.1K
-3.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.6K
$1.56Rp 27.9K
2.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40Rp 25.1K
$1.37Rp 24.5K
2.19%
Onion(1kg)
$2.68Rp 48.1K
$1.89Rp 33.8K
41.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$0.94Rp 16.9K
-5.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,114
$0.41Rp 7,377
9.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.5K
$2.42Rp 43.3K
2.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.04Rp 394.9K
$19.89Rp 356.4K
10.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09Rp 37.4K
$2.02Rp 36.2K
3.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42Rp 61.4K
$3.21Rp 57.5K
6.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandung
Timika
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,785
$0.30Rp 5,372
6.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 189.4K
$9.62Rp 172.4K
9.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.52Rp 9,380
36.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72Rp 12.8K
$0.37Rp 6,649
94.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.48Rp 44.4K
$2.93Rp 52.6K
-15.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 14.0K
$0.78Rp 14.0K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 435.6M
$24.3KRp 435.8M
-0.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRp 456.5M
$27.8KRp 497.9M
-8.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.19Rp 791.6K
$68.8Rp 1.2M
-35.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.66Rp 83.6K
$4.34Rp 77.7K
7.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.53Rp 403.7K
$22.71Rp 406.9K
-0.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.16Rp 397.0K
$23.11Rp 414.1K
-4.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60Rp 118.2K
$5.98Rp 107.1K
10.37%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.6K
$3.00Rp 53.7K
1.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.8Rp 1.7M
$94.5Rp 1.7M
-1.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,565Rp 135.5M
$7,541Rp 135.1M
0.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.23Rp 738.6K
$41.03Rp 735.2K
0.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.03Rp 555.9K
$30.11Rp 539.4K
3.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.1Rp 1.1M
$66.4Rp 1.2M
-11.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.9Rp 1.1M
$72.8Rp 1.3M
-12.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandung
Timika
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$242Rp 4.3M
$260Rp 4.6M
-6.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$161Rp 2.9M
-2.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$449Rp 8.1M
$589Rp 10.6M
-23.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246Rp 4.4M
$340Rp 6.1M
-27.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$704Rp 12.6M
$1,316Rp 23.6M
-46.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$305Rp 5.5M
$594Rp 10.6M
-48.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandung
Timika
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$280Rp 5.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9.15
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bandung: June 7, 2026
Last update for Timika: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $242 in Bandung and $260 in Timika. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Bandung vs $12.00 in Timika. Groceries flip the comparison at $213 vs $206, with Timika 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 Timika: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandung or Timika?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 5% lower than in Timika. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bandung vs Timika?
You'd need roughly $951 in Bandung and $1,003 in Timika to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bandung vs Timika?
Rent for a central apartment: $242 in Bandung versus $260 in Timika. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Bandung or Timika?
Shoppers in Timika pay roughly 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Bandung vs Timika?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $12.00 in Timika. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandung or Timika?
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 Timika?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $634 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 Timika?
Safety-wise, Bandung and Timika 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 5% less than in Timika. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.