Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Jakarta Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Jakarta

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $616 in Batam versus $815 in Jakarta.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,017 in Batam versus $1,325 in Jakarta.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,418 in Batam versus $1,834 in Jakarta.

Living in Batam costs roughly 24% less than in Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Batam 55% lower, Jakarta 40% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01 Rp 35.5K
$2.49 Rp 44.0K
-19.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68 Rp 153.7K
$15.86 Rp 280.9K
-45.27%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.07 Rp 72.0K
$3.43 Rp 60.8K
18.66%
Cappuccino
$2.14 Rp 38.0K
$2.06 Rp 36.5K
3.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 Rp 11.1K
$0.42 Rp 7,520
47.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 Rp 5,506
$0.26 Rp 4,614
19.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.60 Rp 46.0K
$2.65 Rp 47.0K
-1.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 Rp 65.9K
$3.89 Rp 68.9K
-4.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 Rp 20.6K
$1.46 Rp 25.8K
-20.55%
White Bread (500g)
$1.09 Rp 19.3K
$1.15 Rp 20.4K
-5.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.78 Rp 13.9K
$0.84 Rp 14.9K
-7.14%
Eggs
$1.30 Rp 23.1K
$1.76 Rp 31.1K
-26.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.71 Rp 136.5K
$9.81 Rp 173.8K
-21.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.54 Rp 45.0K
$2.99 Rp 53.0K
-15.05%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.61 Rp 81.6K
$7.67 Rp 135.7K
-39.90%
Apples (1kg)
$2.19 Rp 38.7K
$2.87 Rp 50.8K
-23.69%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 Rp 37.0K
$1.37 Rp 24.2K
52.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.06 Rp 36.6K
$2.65 Rp 46.9K
-22.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.06 Rp 18.8K
$1.37 Rp 24.3K
-22.63%
Potato (1kg)
$0.97 Rp 17.2K
$1.35 Rp 23.9K
-28.15%
Onion (1kg)
$1.99 Rp 35.3K
$2.10 Rp 37.2K
-5.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.33 Rp 23.6K
$0.93 Rp 16.5K
43.01%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 Rp 8,033
$0.51 Rp 9,092
-11.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76 Rp 48.8K
$2.85 Rp 50.4K
-3.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.89 Rp 245.9K
$21.74 Rp 384.9K
-36.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 31.1K
$2.12 Rp 37.5K
-17.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 Rp 44.1K
$3.22 Rp 57.0K
-22.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 Rp 7,309
$0.29 Rp 5,206
41.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$11.72 Rp 207.6K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 Rp 20.2K
$0.53 Rp 9,420
115.09%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 Rp 10.6K
$0.36 Rp 6,293
66.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.58 Rp 63.3K
$3.30 Rp 58.4K
8.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.0K
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
1.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5K Rp 504.0M
$28.7K Rp 507.9M
-0.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K Rp 438.2M
$33.4K Rp 590.9M
-25.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.0 Rp 1.3M
$108 Rp 1.9M
-33.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.16 Rp 73.6K
$6.07 Rp 107.5K
-31.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.70 Rp 419.6K
$19.01 Rp 336.7K
24.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.92 Rp 476.7K
$26.63 Rp 471.5K
1.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.63 Rp 99.7K
$13.81 Rp 244.5K
-59.23%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66 Rp 47.0K
$3.44 Rp 60.9K
-22.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$83.4 Rp 1.5M
$155 Rp 2.7M
-46.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,257 Rp 57.7M
$8,224 Rp 145.6M
-60.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.47 Rp 574.9K
$60.1 Rp 1.1M
-45.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.15 Rp 339.0K
$28.63 Rp 506.9K
-33.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.0 Rp 1.2M
$73.3 Rp 1.3M
-8.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.03 Rp 443.1K
$110 Rp 1.9M
-77.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$274 Rp 4.8M
$363 Rp 6.4M
-24.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 Rp 2.6M
$204 Rp 3.6M
-26.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$823 Rp 14.6M
$1,179 Rp 20.9M
-30.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$514 Rp 9.1M
$581 Rp 10.3M
-11.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$556 Rp 9.8M
$3,009 Rp 53.3M
-81.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,477 Rp 26.2M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$354 Rp 6.3M
$460 Rp 8.1M
-22.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.17
9.46
39.22%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Batam: September 13, 2026

Last update for Jakarta: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $274 in Batam and $363 in Jakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Jakarta pays 30% 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 Batam vs $16.00 in Jakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $177 vs $223 per month, with Batam 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
Batam vs Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jakarta cheaper than Batam?
Batam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 32% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Batam or Jakarta?
On paper, salaries run 30% lower in Jakarta. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Batam and Jakarta?
Rent for a central apartment: $274 in Batam versus $363 in Jakarta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Batam and in Jakarta?
Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Jakarta. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Batam and in Jakarta?
All in, you'll spend $616 per month in Batam versus $815 in Jakarta – a 32% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Batam or Jakarta?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Batam gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Batam or Jakarta more family-friendly?
For families, Batam is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Jakarta, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Batam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Batam vs other spots: cost of living compared

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