🙂A single person spends $508 per month in Karawang vs $818 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $755 per month in Karawang vs $1,343 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,001 per month in Karawang vs $1,869 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂Karawang is about 38% cheaper than Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Karawang and Jakarta are more affordable than the global median – Karawang62% lower, Jakarta39% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.27Rp 22.8K
$3.13Rp 56.0K
-59.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.97Rp 160.7K
$18.46Rp 330.8K
-51.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.36Rp 60.3K
$3.64Rp 65.1K
-7.69%
Cappuccino
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$2.10Rp 37.6K
-30.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,442
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-17.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,314
$0.26Rp 4,600
-7.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47Rp 62.2K
$2.71Rp 48.5K
28.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46Rp 62.0K
$4.39Rp 78.6K
-21.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.8K
$1.33Rp 23.8K
-9.02%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06Rp 19.0K
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-8.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-13.59%
Eggs
$1.52Rp 27.3K
$1.80Rp 32.3K
-15.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.99Rp 53.5K
$6.51Rp 116.7K
-54.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.98Rp 53.4K
$3.23Rp 57.9K
-7.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.65Rp 137.0K
$7.60Rp 136.1K
0.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.96Rp 35.2K
$2.85Rp 51.1K
-31.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.20Rp 21.4K
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-26.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39Rp 25.0K
$2.20Rp 39.5K
-36.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53Rp 9,546
$1.57Rp 28.1K
-66.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.03Rp 18.5K
$1.75Rp 31.3K
-41.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.66Rp 29.7K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
-35.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 17.2K
$1.07Rp 19.1K
-10.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,530
$0.46Rp 8,212
-8.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.61Rp 46.8K
$3.07Rp 55.0K
-14.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.71Rp 388.9K
$21.00Rp 376.3K
3.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.5K
$2.21Rp 39.5K
-4.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46Rp 61.9K
$3.11Rp 55.7K
11.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71Rp 12.6K
$0.21Rp 3,754
238.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.08Rp 180.6K
$12.06Rp 216.0K
-16.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71Rp 12.8K
$0.53Rp 9,496
33.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77Rp 13.8K
$0.38Rp 6,729
102.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.19Rp 21.4K
$3.14Rp 56.3K
-62.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85Rp 15.3K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
10.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KRp 442.6M
$30.6KRp 548.8M
-19.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KRp 462.5M
$33.3KRp 596.1M
-22.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.12Rp 772.6K
$90.1Rp 1.6M
-52.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.55Rp 81.5K
$6.55Rp 117.4K
-30.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.66Rp 244.7K
$27.54Rp 493.4K
-50.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.04Rp 394.9K
$30.46Rp 545.8K
-27.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.13Rp 271.1K
$12.41Rp 222.3K
21.92%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00Rp 53.8K
$3.02Rp 54.0K
-0.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$48.25Rp 864.4K
$171Rp 3.1M
-71.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,474Rp 133.9M
$9,571Rp 171.5M
-21.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.29Rp 327.6K
$57.4Rp 1.0M
-68.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.36Rp 543.9K
$33.58Rp 601.7K
-9.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.8Rp 945.6K
$84.2Rp 1.5M
-37.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.4Rp 974.5K
$90.7Rp 1.6M
-40.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.8M
$380Rp 6.8M
-59.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$77.6Rp 1.4M
$235Rp 4.2M
-67.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$245Rp 4.4M
$1,184Rp 21.2M
-79.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$123Rp 2.2M
$647Rp 11.6M
-81.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,141Rp 20.4M
$2,872Rp 51.5M
-60.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$643Rp 11.5M
$1,400Rp 25.1M
-54.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karawang
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$408Rp 7.3M
$448Rp 8.0M
-8.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9.59
-4.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karawang: June 7, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $154 in Karawang versus $380 in Jakarta. 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 10% 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 $9.00 in Karawang versus $18.00 in Jakarta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $181 vs $215 – making Karawang 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
Karawang vs Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Karawang or Jakarta?
Jakarta costs about 61% more than Karawang, 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 Karawang vs Jakarta?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $763 per month in Karawang and $1,227 in Jakarta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Karawang or Jakarta?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Karawang, 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 Karawang and Jakarta?
Kindergarten costs $48.25 per month in Karawang and $171 in Jakarta. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Karawang or Jakarta?
Groceries cost about 19% 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 Karawang or Jakarta?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $508 in Karawang and $818 in Jakarta, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Karawang or Jakarta?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Karawang costs $508 versus $818 in Jakarta. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Karawang compared to Jakarta?
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.
Should I move to Karawang or Jakarta?
If budget matters most, go with Karawang. 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.