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: $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: Batam55% lower, Jakarta40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01Rp 35.5K
$2.49Rp 44.0K
-19.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68Rp 153.7K
$15.86Rp 280.9K
-45.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.07Rp 72.0K
$3.43Rp 60.8K
18.66%
Cappuccino
$2.14Rp 38.0K
$2.06Rp 36.5K
3.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.1K
$0.42Rp 7,520
47.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31Rp 5,506
$0.26Rp 4,614
19.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.60Rp 46.0K
$2.65Rp 47.0K
-1.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72Rp 65.9K
$3.89Rp 68.9K
-4.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16Rp 20.6K
$1.46Rp 25.8K
-20.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09Rp 19.3K
$1.15Rp 20.4K
-5.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$0.84Rp 14.9K
-7.14%
Eggs
$1.30Rp 23.1K
$1.76Rp 31.1K
-26.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.71Rp 136.5K
$9.81Rp 173.8K
-21.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.54Rp 45.0K
$2.99Rp 53.0K
-15.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.61Rp 81.6K
$7.67Rp 135.7K
-39.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19Rp 38.7K
$2.87Rp 50.8K
-23.69%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09Rp 37.0K
$1.37Rp 24.2K
52.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06Rp 36.6K
$2.65Rp 46.9K
-22.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06Rp 18.8K
$1.37Rp 24.3K
-22.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.2K
$1.35Rp 23.9K
-28.15%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99Rp 35.3K
$2.10Rp 37.2K
-5.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33Rp 23.6K
$0.93Rp 16.5K
43.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,033
$0.51Rp 9,092
-11.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76Rp 48.8K
$2.85Rp 50.4K
-3.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.89Rp 245.9K
$21.74Rp 384.9K
-36.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 31.1K
$2.12Rp 37.5K
-17.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49Rp 44.1K
$3.22Rp 57.0K
-22.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,309
$0.29Rp 5,206
41.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.72Rp 207.6K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14Rp 20.2K
$0.53Rp 9,420
115.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$0.36Rp 6,293
66.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.58Rp 63.3K
$3.30Rp 58.4K
8.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$0.78Rp 13.8K
1.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRp 504.0M
$28.7KRp 507.9M
-0.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7KRp 438.2M
$33.4KRp 590.9M
-25.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.0Rp 1.3M
$108Rp 1.9M
-33.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.16Rp 73.6K
$6.07Rp 107.5K
-31.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.70Rp 419.6K
$19.01Rp 336.7K
24.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.92Rp 476.7K
$26.63Rp 471.5K
1.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.63Rp 99.7K
$13.81Rp 244.5K
-59.23%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66Rp 47.0K
$3.44Rp 60.9K
-22.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$83.4Rp 1.5M
$155Rp 2.7M
-46.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,257Rp 57.7M
$8,224Rp 145.6M
-60.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.47Rp 574.9K
$60.1Rp 1.1M
-45.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.15Rp 339.0K
$28.63Rp 506.9K
-33.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.0Rp 1.2M
$73.3Rp 1.3M
-8.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.03Rp 443.1K
$110Rp 1.9M
-77.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$274Rp 4.8M
$363Rp 6.4M
-24.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149Rp 2.6M
$204Rp 3.6M
-26.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$823Rp 14.6M
$1,179Rp 20.9M
-30.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$514Rp 9.1M
$581Rp 10.3M
-11.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$556Rp 9.8M
$3,009Rp 53.3M
-81.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,477Rp 26.2M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$354Rp 6.3M
$460Rp 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.