😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $825 in Jakarta versus $647 in Bandung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,356 in Jakarta versus $949 in Bandung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,888 in Jakarta versus $1,251 in Bandung.
😐Living in Jakarta is roughly 27% more expensive than Bandung, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Jakarta38% lower, Bandung52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.99Rp 53.6K
$1.28Rp 22.9K
133.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.68Rp 334.9K
$9.42Rp 168.9K
98.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.64Rp 65.2K
$3.43Rp 61.5K
6.12%
Cappuccino
$2.17Rp 38.9K
$1.44Rp 25.8K
50.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,298
$0.49Rp 8,717
6.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,645
$0.25Rp 4,452
4.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.72Rp 48.7K
$3.28Rp 58.8K
-17.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.34Rp 77.8K
$3.57Rp 64.0K
21.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38Rp 24.8K
$1.18Rp 21.2K
16.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16Rp 20.7K
$1.07Rp 19.2K
8.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98Rp 17.5K
$0.94Rp 16.9K
4.26%
Eggs
$1.81Rp 32.5K
$1.58Rp 28.3K
14.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.57Rp 117.8K
$9.33Rp 167.3K
-29.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.23Rp 57.8K
$3.02Rp 54.2K
6.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.78Rp 139.5K
$7.92Rp 142.0K
-1.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.83Rp 50.7K
$2.37Rp 42.4K
19.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$1.33Rp 23.9K
18.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19Rp 39.3K
$1.69Rp 30.3K
29.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.8K
$1.52Rp 27.2K
-1.97%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79Rp 32.1K
$1.48Rp 26.5K
20.95%
Onion(1kg)
$2.62Rp 47.0K
$2.67Rp 47.8K
-1.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03Rp 18.4K
$0.96Rp 17.2K
7.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,240
$0.46Rp 8,234
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.09Rp 55.4K
$2.57Rp 46.0K
20.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.09Rp 378.0K
$22.35Rp 400.7K
-5.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21Rp 39.7K
$2.10Rp 37.6K
5.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13Rp 56.1K
$3.49Rp 62.5K
-10.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23Rp 4,138
$0.30Rp 5,362
-23.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.12Rp 217.2K
$10.57Rp 189.5K
14.66%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.58Rp 10.3K
$0.76Rp 13.6K
-23.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,169
$0.71Rp 12.7K
-52.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.05Rp 54.7K
$2.59Rp 46.4K
17.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.4K
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-1.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3KRp 560.8M
$24.4KRp 437.0M
28.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.6KRp 585.1M
$26.4KRp 473.3M
23.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.4Rp 1.6M
$43.12Rp 773.0K
107.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.44Rp 115.5K
$4.52Rp 81.1K
42.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.04Rp 484.7K
$22.94Rp 411.3K
17.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.82Rp 534.6K
$21.48Rp 385.1K
38.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.45Rp 223.2K
$6.62Rp 118.7K
88.07%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.7K
$3.16Rp 56.6K
-3.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$167Rp 3.0M
$94.4Rp 1.7M
77.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,722Rp 174.3M
$7,577Rp 135.8M
28.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.1Rp 1.0M
$41.84Rp 750.1K
36.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.94Rp 590.4K
$30.57Rp 547.9K
7.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.9Rp 1.5M
$59.2Rp 1.1M
41.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0Rp 1.6M
$63.7Rp 1.1M
38.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$385Rp 6.9M
$234Rp 4.2M
64.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238Rp 4.3M
$156Rp 2.8M
52.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,152Rp 20.6M
$447Rp 8.0M
157.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$646Rp 11.6M
$247Rp 4.4M
161.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,787Rp 50.0M
$723Rp 13.0M
285.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,422Rp 25.5M
$309Rp 5.5M
360.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453Rp 8.1M
$284Rp 5.1M
59.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.59
9.15
4.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jakarta: June 2, 2026
Last update for Bandung: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $385 in Jakarta and $234 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 60% 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: $19.00 in Jakarta vs $9.00 in Bandung. Groceries flip the comparison at $215 vs $215, with Jakarta 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
Jakarta vs Bandung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jakarta or Bandung?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 27% lower than in Jakarta. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Jakarta or Bandung?
Jakarta pays 60% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Jakarta vs Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $385 in Jakarta versus $234 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Jakarta or Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Jakarta. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Jakarta vs Bandung?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $19.00 in Jakarta. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Jakarta or Bandung?
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, Jakarta or Bandung?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $647 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bandung hard to pass up.
How safe is Jakarta compared to Bandung?
Safety-wise, Jakarta and Bandung 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 27% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.