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: $664 in Batam versus $825 in Jakarta.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,132 in Batam versus $1,356 in Jakarta.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,600 in Batam versus $1,888 in Jakarta.
🙂Living in Batam costs roughly 20% less than in Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Batam50% lower, Jakarta38% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.78Rp 49.8K
$2.99Rp 53.6K
-7.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.36Rp 167.7K
$18.68Rp 334.9K
-49.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.63Rp 65.1K
$3.64Rp 65.2K
-0.27%
Cappuccino
$2.11Rp 37.9K
$2.17Rp 38.9K
-2.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28Rp 23.0K
$0.52Rp 9,298
146.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,417
$0.26Rp 4,645
57.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.81Rp 50.3K
$2.72Rp 48.7K
3.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06Rp 72.8K
$4.34Rp 77.8K
-6.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-13.04%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 21.6K
$1.16Rp 20.7K
3.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86Rp 15.4K
$0.98Rp 17.5K
-12.24%
Eggs
$1.35Rp 24.2K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-25.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.05Rp 144.4K
$6.57Rp 117.8K
22.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.65Rp 47.5K
$3.23Rp 57.8K
-17.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.91Rp 88.1K
$7.78Rp 139.5K
-36.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39Rp 42.9K
$2.83Rp 50.7K
-15.55%
Banana(1kg)
$2.18Rp 39.2K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
38.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.23Rp 39.9K
$2.19Rp 39.3K
1.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15Rp 20.6K
$1.49Rp 26.8K
-22.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99Rp 17.8K
$1.79Rp 32.1K
-44.69%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.6K
$2.62Rp 47.0K
-19.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46Rp 26.1K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
41.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,145
$0.46Rp 8,240
-13.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74Rp 49.2K
$3.09Rp 55.4K
-11.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.28Rp 255.9K
$21.09Rp 378.0K
-32.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95Rp 35.0K
$2.21Rp 39.7K
-11.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61Rp 46.7K
$3.13Rp 56.1K
-16.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47Rp 8,359
$0.23Rp 4,138
104.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.67Rp 298.8K
$12.12Rp 217.2K
37.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.21Rp 21.6K
$0.58Rp 10.3K
108.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63Rp 11.4K
$0.34Rp 6,169
85.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.74Rp 67.0K
$3.05Rp 54.7K
22.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
-5.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8KRp 533.5M
$31.3KRp 560.8M
-4.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7KRp 335.2M
$32.6KRp 585.1M
-42.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.5Rp 1.4M
$89.4Rp 1.6M
-15.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.13Rp 74.1K
$6.44Rp 115.5K
-35.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.19Rp 451.5K
$27.04Rp 484.7K
-6.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.45Rp 527.9K
$29.82Rp 534.6K
-1.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.27Rp 148.3K
$12.45Rp 223.2K
-33.57%
Cinema Ticket
$3.12Rp 56.0K
$3.05Rp 54.7K
2.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.3Rp 1.6M
$167Rp 3.0M
-45.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,649Rp 65.4M
$9,722Rp 174.3M
-62.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.38Rp 634.1K
$57.1Rp 1.0M
-37.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.60Rp 369.3K
$32.94Rp 590.4K
-37.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.9Rp 1.3M
$83.9Rp 1.5M
-14.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.15Rp 468.7K
$88.0Rp 1.6M
-70.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$300Rp 5.4M
$385Rp 6.9M
-22.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$161Rp 2.9M
$238Rp 4.3M
-32.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$915Rp 16.4M
$1,152Rp 20.6M
-20.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$556Rp 10.0M
$646Rp 11.6M
-14.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$563Rp 10.1M
$2,787Rp 50.0M
-79.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,422Rp 25.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$346Rp 6.2M
$453Rp 8.1M
-23.56%
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: May 31, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $300 in Batam and $385 in Jakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 31% 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 $19.00 in Jakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $186 vs $215 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, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 24% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Batam or Jakarta?
On paper, Jakarta earns 31% less. 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: $300 in Batam versus $385 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 $91.3 in Batam versus $167 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 24% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.