🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $563 in Magelang versus $633 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $870 in Magelang versus $939 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,177 in Magelang versus $1,245 in Bandung.
🌍Living in Magelang costs roughly 11% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Magelang58% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.52Rp 27.2K
$1.25Rp 22.5K
21.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.42Rp 168.9K
$9.16Rp 164.3K
2.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.93Rp 52.6K
$3.45Rp 61.8K
-15.07%
Cappuccino
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$1.49Rp 26.7K
-40.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,399
$0.52Rp 9,409
-30.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19Rp 3,337
$0.25Rp 4,431
-24.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.49Rp 26.6K
$3.34Rp 59.9K
-55.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94Rp 52.6K
$3.47Rp 62.2K
-15.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 20.7K
$1.18Rp 21.2K
-2.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22Rp 21.8K
$1.10Rp 19.8K
10.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87Rp 15.6K
$0.89Rp 15.9K
-2.25%
Eggs
$1.49Rp 26.8K
$1.52Rp 27.2K
-1.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.29Rp 130.8K
$8.86Rp 158.9K
-17.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.56Rp 46.0K
$3.13Rp 56.1K
-18.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.82Rp 140.2K
$7.73Rp 138.6K
1.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 41.1K
$2.26Rp 40.6K
1.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25Rp 22.5K
$1.32Rp 23.7K
-5.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.34Rp 24.0K
$1.66Rp 29.7K
-19.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.2K
$1.53Rp 27.4K
-33.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.07Rp 19.2K
$1.48Rp 26.6K
-27.70%
Onion(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.8K
$2.68Rp 48.0K
-44.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.82Rp 14.7K
$0.97Rp 17.5K
-15.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39Rp 7,011
$0.46Rp 8,221
-15.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.52Rp 45.2K
$2.49Rp 44.6K
1.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.77Rp 300.8K
$22.25Rp 399.1K
-24.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73Rp 31.0K
$2.13Rp 38.1K
-18.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37Rp 42.5K
$3.48Rp 62.4K
-31.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,376
$0.30Rp 5,332
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.91Rp 177.7K
$10.52Rp 188.7K
-5.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 8,066
$0.77Rp 13.8K
-41.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,563
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-59.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.44Rp 43.8K
$2.59Rp 46.4K
-5.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 14.0K
$0.84Rp 15.1K
-7.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRp 510.4M
$24.7KRp 443.9M
14.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KRp 556.4M
$25.5KRp 457.2M
21.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.7Rp 926.6K
$44.64Rp 800.6K
15.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.20Rp 75.3K
$4.50Rp 80.7K
-6.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.49Rp 349.5K
$22.52Rp 403.8K
-13.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.07Rp 270.2K
$21.40Rp 383.8K
-29.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.08Rp 73.2K
$6.37Rp 114.3K
-35.95%
Cinema Ticket
$2.70Rp 48.5K
$2.98Rp 53.4K
-9.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.14Rp 881.3K
$92.3Rp 1.7M
-46.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,375Rp 78.5M
$7,687Rp 137.9M
-43.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.79Rp 390.8K
$41.23Rp 739.5K
-47.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.47Rp 385.1K
$30.62Rp 549.1K
-29.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.2Rp 1.2M
$58.2Rp 1.0M
10.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.3Rp 1.0M
$64.4Rp 1.2M
-9.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$263Rp 4.7M
$240Rp 4.3M
9.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$155Rp 2.8M
$152Rp 2.7M
1.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580Rp 10.4M
$459Rp 8.2M
26.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$334Rp 6.0M
$245Rp 4.4M
36.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,154Rp 20.7M
$710Rp 12.7M
62.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$696Rp 12.5M
$304Rp 5.5M
128.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$177Rp 3.2M
$288Rp 5.2M
-38.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.33
9.15
-8.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Magelang: July 21, 2026
Last update for Bandung: July 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $263 in Magelang and $240 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 63% 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: $9.00 in Magelang vs $9.00 in Bandung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $182 vs $213 per month, with Magelang 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
Magelang vs Bandung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Magelang or Bandung?
Magelang wins on cost – living expenses run 13% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Magelang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Magelang or in Bandung?
On paper, salaries run 63% lower in Bandung. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Magelang compared to Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $263 in Magelang versus $240 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Magelang or in Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Magelang and in Bandung?
Dining out is cheaper in Magelang – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $9.00 in Bandung. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Magelang or in Bandung?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Magelang 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, Magelang or Bandung?
Both work as nomad bases, but Magelang delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $563 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Magelang hard to pass up.
How safe is Magelang compared to Bandung?
Safety-wise, Magelang 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 Magelang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.