😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $799 in Jakarta versus $644 in Bandung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,304 in Jakarta versus $939 in Bandung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,809 in Jakarta versus $1,234 in Bandung.
🌍Living in Jakarta is roughly 24% more expensive than in Bandung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Jakarta42% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.61Rp 46.4K
$1.39Rp 24.8K
87.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.12Rp 304.1K
$14.39Rp 255.6K
18.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.46Rp 61.5K
$3.31Rp 58.8K
4.53%
Cappuccino
$1.96Rp 34.9K
$1.57Rp 27.8K
24.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,467
$0.42Rp 7,456
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,802
$0.25Rp 4,472
8.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.63Rp 46.7K
$3.15Rp 56.0K
-16.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92Rp 69.7K
$3.02Rp 53.7K
29.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42Rp 25.2K
$1.12Rp 19.9K
26.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.6K
$1.00Rp 17.8K
10.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.92Rp 16.4K
$0.82Rp 14.5K
12.20%
Eggs
$1.80Rp 32.1K
$1.49Rp 26.5K
20.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.72Rp 172.7K
$7.31Rp 129.9K
32.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01Rp 53.5K
$3.00Rp 53.3K
0.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.78Rp 138.1K
$8.16Rp 144.9K
-4.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.92Rp 51.9K
$2.27Rp 40.4K
28.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.7K
$1.08Rp 19.2K
23.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.66Rp 47.2K
$1.55Rp 27.5K
71.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36Rp 24.2K
$0.97Rp 17.3K
40.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41Rp 25.0K
$1.09Rp 19.5K
29.36%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.3K
$1.91Rp 33.9K
9.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99Rp 17.5K
$0.69Rp 12.3K
43.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48Rp 8,557
$0.44Rp 7,767
9.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.88Rp 51.2K
$2.66Rp 47.3K
8.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.58Rp 383.3K
$22.71Rp 403.5K
-4.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15Rp 38.3K
$1.84Rp 32.7K
16.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05Rp 54.1K
$3.31Rp 58.9K
-7.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,783
$0.29Rp 5,221
-6.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.93Rp 212.0K
$9.46Rp 168.0K
26.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rp 8,682
$0.87Rp 15.5K
-43.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,300
$0.52Rp 9,226
-32.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.42Rp 60.8K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
49.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.8K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9KRp 496.2M
$21.2KRp 376.3M
31.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1KRp 604.9M
$29.5KRp 524.9M
15.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110Rp 1.9M
$34.35Rp 610.3K
219.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.82Rp 103.5K
$4.29Rp 76.2K
35.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.33Rp 343.4K
$19.31Rp 343.0K
0.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.69Rp 474.2K
$18.65Rp 331.4K
43.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.24Rp 253.0K
$5.80Rp 103.1K
145.52%
Cinema Ticket
$3.29Rp 58.5K
$2.86Rp 50.8K
15.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$97.1Rp 1.7M
60.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,348Rp 148.3M
$8,509Rp 151.2M
-1.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.2Rp 1.1M
$38.89Rp 690.9K
54.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.59Rp 543.4K
$33.08Rp 587.6K
-7.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.8Rp 1.3M
$76.7Rp 1.4M
-3.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107Rp 1.9M
$70.4Rp 1.3M
51.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$364Rp 6.5M
$219Rp 3.9M
66.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$199Rp 3.5M
$183Rp 3.2M
9.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,178Rp 20.9M
$385Rp 6.8M
205.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$577Rp 10.3M
$268Rp 4.8M
115.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,054Rp 54.3M
$718Rp 12.7M
325.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,485Rp 26.4M
$310Rp 5.5M
378.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jakarta
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$454Rp 8.1M
$285Rp 5.1M
59.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.46
11.38
-16.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jakarta: August 29, 2026
Last update for Bandung: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $364 in Jakarta and $219 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jakarta pays 59% 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: $17.00 in Jakarta vs $14.00 in Bandung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $222 vs $197 per month, with Bandung 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
Jakarta vs Bandung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jakarta or Bandung?
Bandung wins on cost – living expenses run 24% 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 in Bandung?
Average pay runs 59% higher in Jakarta, 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 compared to Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $364 in Jakarta versus $219 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Jakarta or in Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 13% higher in Jakarta. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Jakarta and in Bandung?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandung – a meal for two runs $14.00 versus $17.00 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 in 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 $644 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 24% less than in Jakarta. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.