😐A single person spends $562 per month in Kairouan vs $558 in Mataram, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $869 per month in Kairouan vs $861 in Mataram, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,176 per month in Kairouan vs $1,163 in Mataram, rent included.
😐Kairouan costs about 1% more than Mataram, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Kairouan and Mataram are more affordable than the global median – Kairouan58% lower, Mataram58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.39TND 7.01
$1.11Rp 20.1K
115.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.64TND 25.36
$11.00Rp 198.5K
-21.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.33TND 9.77
$2.28Rp 41.1K
46.05%
Cappuccino
$0.77TND 2.25
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-57.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61TND 1.78
$0.55Rp 9,869
10.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13TND 0.38
$0.36Rp 6,535
-63.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.49TND 4.38
$2.63Rp 47.5K
-43.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91TND 5.60
$3.67Rp 66.2K
-47.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.49TND 1.45
$1.53Rp 27.7K
-67.97%
White Bread(500g)
$0.08TND 0.23
$1.61Rp 29.1K
-95.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.55TND 4.55
$0.76Rp 13.8K
103.95%
Eggs
$1.50TND 4.39
$1.37Rp 24.8K
9.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.35TND 33.31
$3.31Rp 59.7K
242.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.61TND 16.47
$3.59Rp 64.8K
56.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94TND 35.03
$5.99Rp 108.2K
99.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.18TND 6.39
$1.72Rp 31.0K
26.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.30TND 6.76
$1.22Rp 22.0K
88.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.00TND 2.94
$1.89Rp 34.1K
-47.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.74TND 2.16
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-1.33%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69TND 2.03
$0.84Rp 15.2K
-17.86%
Onion(1kg)
$0.73TND 2.13
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-59.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.49TND 1.42
$0.48Rp 8,639
2.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27TND 0.80
$0.32Rp 5,695
-15.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.35TND 9.84
$1.78Rp 32.1K
88.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.63TND 19.47
$15.33Rp 276.7K
-56.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14TND 3.35
$2.36Rp 42.6K
-51.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07TND 3.14
$3.58Rp 64.6K
-70.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33TND 0.97
$0.63Rp 11.5K
-47.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.13TND 29.74
$18.41Rp 332.4K
-44.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.31TND 0.92
$0.51Rp 9,185
-39.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33TND 0.98
$0.31Rp 5,661
6.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.38TND 21.66
$3.08Rp 55.7K
139.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79TND 2.31
$0.69Rp 12.4K
14.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.3KTND 106.4K
$23.3KRp 420.7M
55.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5KTND 101.2K
$27.5KRp 496.7M
25.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.19TND 136
$50.4Rp 909.6K
-8.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.78TND 28.71
$4.32Rp 78.1K
126.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.61TND 42.88
$19.37Rp 349.8K
-24.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.96TND 70.3
$26.95Rp 486.5K
-11.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.48TND 36.61
$7.48Rp 135.0K
66.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.63TND 13.58
$2.10Rp 38.0K
120.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$107TND 313
$91.5Rp 1.7M
16.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,475TND 7,263
$4,217Rp 76.1M
-41.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.83TND 69.9
$36.84Rp 665.2K
-35.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.37TND 130
$24.43Rp 441.0K
81.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$47.47TND 139
$61.5Rp 1.1M
-22.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.8TND 187
$40.48Rp 730.8K
57.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$115TND 339
$76.8Rp 1.4M
50.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$134TND 392
$128Rp 2.3M
4.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$373TND 1,093
$153Rp 2.8M
142.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$274TND 803
$259Rp 4.7M
5.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$968TND 2,842
$1,155Rp 20.8M
-16.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$568TND 1,668
$679Rp 12.3M
-16.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kairouan
Mataram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$326TND 956
$192Rp 3.5M
69.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.6
9
51.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kairouan: July 26, 2026
Last update for Mataram: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $115 in Kairouan versus $76.8 in Mataram. 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 70% higher in Kairouan, 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 $9.00 in Kairouan versus $11.00 in Mataram. Groceries tell a different story – $178 in Kairouan vs $174 in Mataram – so Mataram wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Kairouan vs Mataram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Kairouan and in Mataram compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $562 in Kairouan, $558 in Mataram – roughly 1% apart. Kairouan costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Kairouan compared to Mataram?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $842 per month in Kairouan and $836 in Mataram. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Kairouan and Mataram?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mataram, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Kairouan and in Mataram?
Public transport costs about 82% less in Mataram. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kairouan and Mataram?
Kindergarten costs $107 per month in Kairouan and $91.5 in Mataram. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How far does $1,200 go in Kairouan compared to Mataram?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $562 in Kairouan and $558 in Mataram, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Kairouan or Mataram?
Families tend to lean toward Mataram – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Kairouan or Mataram safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Kairouan and Mataram?
If budget matters most, go with Mataram. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kairouan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.