Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and JakartaCost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Jakarta
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $660 in Batam versus $840 in Jakarta.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,103 in Batam versus $1,379 in Jakarta.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,546 in Batam versus $1,919 in Jakarta.
🌍Living in Batam costs roughly 21% less than in Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Batam51% lower, Jakarta37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.79Rp 50.1K
$3.11Rp 56.0K
-10.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.30Rp 167.2K
$18.11Rp 325.4K
-48.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.54Rp 63.5K
$3.46Rp 62.3K
2.31%
Cappuccino
$2.21Rp 39.7K
$2.10Rp 37.8K
5.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33Rp 24.0K
$0.55Rp 9,908
141.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,356
$0.28Rp 5,086
46.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.80Rp 50.4K
$2.82Rp 50.8K
-0.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02Rp 72.3K
$4.21Rp 75.7K
-4.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.8K
$1.34Rp 24.1K
-9.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.21Rp 21.8K
$1.16Rp 20.8K
4.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.85Rp 15.3K
$0.95Rp 17.0K
-10.53%
Eggs
$1.36Rp 24.4K
$1.80Rp 32.4K
-24.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.11Rp 145.7K
$6.49Rp 116.7K
24.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.66Rp 47.7K
$3.23Rp 58.1K
-17.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.82Rp 86.7K
$7.55Rp 135.7K
-36.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38Rp 42.7K
$2.93Rp 52.6K
-18.77%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26Rp 40.6K
$1.61Rp 28.9K
40.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.18Rp 39.2K
$2.27Rp 40.8K
-3.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.10Rp 19.8K
$1.56Rp 28.0K
-29.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.01Rp 18.1K
$1.79Rp 32.2K
-43.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16Rp 38.8K
$2.61Rp 47.0K
-17.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46Rp 26.3K
$1.06Rp 19.0K
37.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,100
$0.46Rp 8,284
-13.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65Rp 47.7K
$2.99Rp 53.8K
-11.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.68Rp 245.8K
$20.56Rp 369.5K
-33.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97Rp 35.5K
$2.21Rp 39.7K
-10.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64Rp 47.4K
$3.24Rp 58.3K
-18.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47Rp 8,417
$0.21Rp 3,760
123.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.91Rp 303.8K
$12.21Rp 219.4K
38.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.26Rp 22.6K
$0.54Rp 9,622
133.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65Rp 11.7K
$0.37Rp 6,681
75.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.72Rp 66.9K
$3.12Rp 56.0K
19.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
3.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7KRp 533.1M
$30.2KRp 542.7M
-1.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2KRp 344.2M
$32.7KRp 588.0M
-41.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.8Rp 1.4M
$89.4Rp 1.6M
-13.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.96Rp 71.2K
$6.51Rp 116.9K
-39.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.92Rp 465.8K
$27.21Rp 488.9K
-4.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.33Rp 545.1K
$29.97Rp 538.6K
1.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.04Rp 144.6K
$12.61Rp 226.7K
-36.24%
Cinema Ticket
$3.08Rp 55.4K
$3.10Rp 55.7K
-0.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.3Rp 1.7M
$166Rp 3.0M
-43.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,643Rp 65.5M
$9,566Rp 171.9M
-61.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.31Rp 634.6K
$57.5Rp 1.0M
-38.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.55Rp 369.3K
$33.85Rp 608.2K
-39.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.4Rp 1.3M
$82.3Rp 1.5M
-11.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.40Rp 474.4K
$90.3Rp 1.6M
-70.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$294Rp 5.3M
$381Rp 6.8M
-22.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$166Rp 3.0M
$236Rp 4.2M
-29.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$890Rp 16.0M
$1,152Rp 20.7M
-22.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$560Rp 10.1M
$660Rp 11.9M
-15.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$550Rp 9.9M
$2,958Rp 53.2M
-81.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,431Rp 25.7M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$334Rp 6.0M
$421Rp 7.6M
-20.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.88
9.59
44.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Batam: July 13, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $294 in Batam and $381 in Jakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 26% 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 $18.00 in Jakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $185 vs $214 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, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Batam or Jakarta?
On paper, salaries run 26% 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: $294 in Batam versus $381 in Jakarta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Batam runs roughly 38% less than in Jakarta. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $93.3 in Batam versus $166 in Jakarta. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
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 27% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.