😐A single person spends $825 per month in Jakarta vs $662 in Makassar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,356 per month in Jakarta vs $1,005 in Makassar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,888 per month in Jakarta vs $1,347 in Makassar, rent included.
😐Jakarta costs about 25% more than Makassar, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Jakarta and Makassar are more affordable than the global median – Jakarta38% lower, Makassar51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.99Rp 53.4K
$3.13Rp 55.9K
-4.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.68Rp 333.6K
$9.45Rp 168.8K
97.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.64Rp 64.9K
$2.98Rp 53.2K
22.15%
Cappuccino
$2.17Rp 38.8K
$1.74Rp 31.1K
24.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,263
$0.71Rp 12.7K
-26.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,627
$0.39Rp 6,976
-33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.72Rp 48.5K
$3.67Rp 65.5K
-25.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.34Rp 77.5K
$3.72Rp 66.4K
16.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
-15.34%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16Rp 20.6K
$1.09Rp 19.4K
6.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98Rp 17.5K
$0.64Rp 11.5K
53.12%
Eggs
$1.81Rp 32.4K
$1.44Rp 25.8K
25.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.57Rp 117.3K
$5.49Rp 98.0K
19.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.23Rp 57.6K
$2.77Rp 49.5K
16.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.78Rp 139.0K
$4.36Rp 77.8K
78.44%
Apples(1kg)
$2.83Rp 50.5K
$2.29Rp 40.9K
23.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.0K
$1.64Rp 29.3K
-4.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19Rp 39.2K
$1.85Rp 33.0K
18.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.57Rp 28.0K
-5.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79Rp 32.0K
$1.26Rp 22.5K
42.06%
Onion(1kg)
$2.62Rp 46.8K
$1.56Rp 27.9K
67.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03Rp 18.4K
$0.41Rp 7,381
151.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,209
$0.47Rp 8,440
-2.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.09Rp 55.2K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
20.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.09Rp 376.6K
$22.53Rp 402.4K
-6.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21Rp 39.5K
$2.10Rp 37.4K
5.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13Rp 55.9K
$2.48Rp 44.3K
26.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23Rp 4,122
$0.32Rp 5,720
-28.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.12Rp 216.4K
$4.51Rp 80.5K
168.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.58Rp 10.3K
$0.56Rp 10.0K
3.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,146
$0.29Rp 5,115
17.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.05Rp 54.5K
$3.03Rp 54.1K
0.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.3K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
2.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3KRp 558.7M
$16.8KRp 299.6M
86.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.6KRp 582.9M
$18.7KRp 334.7M
74.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.4Rp 1.6M
$66.5Rp 1.2M
34.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.44Rp 115.0K
$3.50Rp 62.5K
84.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.04Rp 482.9K
$32.44Rp 579.2K
-16.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.82Rp 532.6K
$23.28Rp 415.8K
28.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.45Rp 222.3K
$6.03Rp 107.6K
106.47%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.5K
$3.16Rp 56.4K
-3.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$167Rp 3.0M
$106Rp 1.9M
57.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,722Rp 173.6M
$4,097Rp 73.2M
137.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.1Rp 1.0M
$30.05Rp 536.6K
89.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.94Rp 588.2K
$25.17Rp 449.4K
30.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.9Rp 1.5M
$81.8Rp 1.5M
2.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0Rp 1.6M
$43.93Rp 784.5K
100.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$385Rp 6.9M
$212Rp 3.8M
81.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238Rp 4.3M
$168Rp 3.0M
41.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,152Rp 20.6M
$438Rp 7.8M
162.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$646Rp 11.5M
$333Rp 5.9M
94.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,787Rp 49.8M
$1,167Rp 20.8M
138.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,422Rp 25.4M
$737Rp 13.2M
92.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jakarta
Makassar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453Rp 8.1M
$218Rp 3.9M
107.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.59
6
59.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jakarta: June 2, 2026
Last update for Makassar: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $385 in Jakarta versus $212 in Makassar. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 108% higher in Jakarta, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Jakarta versus $9.00 in Makassar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $215 vs $190 – making Makassar the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Makassar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jakarta or Makassar?
Jakarta costs about 25% more than Makassar, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Jakarta vs Makassar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,237 per month in Jakarta and $993 in Makassar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Jakarta or Makassar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Makassar, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Jakarta and Makassar?
Kindergarten costs $167 per month in Jakarta and $106 in Makassar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Jakarta or Makassar?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Jakarta, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $800/month in Jakarta or Makassar?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $825 in Jakarta and $662 in Makassar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Jakarta or Makassar?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Makassar costs $662 versus $825 in Jakarta. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Jakarta or Makassar?
If budget matters most, go with Makassar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jakarta makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.