🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $578 in Magelang versus $634 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $892 in Magelang versus $945 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,206 in Magelang versus $1,257 in Bandung.
🙂Living in Magelang costs roughly 9% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Magelang57% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.50Rp 27.3K
$1.26Rp 22.9K
19.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.40Rp 170.5K
$9.09Rp 164.8K
3.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.96Rp 53.7K
$3.30Rp 59.9K
-10.30%
Cappuccino
$0.85Rp 15.4K
$1.49Rp 27.0K
-42.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,965
$0.49Rp 8,939
-22.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16Rp 2,990
$0.27Rp 4,924
-40.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.46Rp 26.5K
$3.47Rp 62.9K
-57.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93Rp 53.1K
$3.57Rp 64.8K
-17.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10Rp 19.9K
$1.22Rp 22.1K
-9.84%
White Bread(500g)
$1.21Rp 21.9K
$1.06Rp 19.3K
14.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87Rp 15.8K
$0.95Rp 17.2K
-8.42%
Eggs
$1.50Rp 27.1K
$1.60Rp 29.1K
-6.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.17Rp 129.9K
$8.91Rp 161.5K
-19.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.64Rp 47.9K
$3.12Rp 56.6K
-15.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.81Rp 141.6K
$8.01Rp 145.3K
-2.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.26Rp 41.1K
$2.27Rp 41.2K
-0.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.24Rp 22.4K
$1.29Rp 23.5K
-3.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39Rp 25.2K
$1.73Rp 31.3K
-19.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.01Rp 18.4K
$1.60Rp 29.0K
-36.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.07Rp 19.4K
$1.40Rp 25.4K
-23.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.49Rp 27.1K
$2.68Rp 48.6K
-44.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85Rp 15.4K
$0.89Rp 16.2K
-4.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,207
$0.45Rp 8,213
-11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.54Rp 46.1K
$2.48Rp 45.1K
2.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.80Rp 304.8K
$22.04Rp 399.7K
-23.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70Rp 30.8K
$2.09Rp 37.8K
-18.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40Rp 43.5K
$3.42Rp 62.1K
-29.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33Rp 5,903
$0.32Rp 5,856
3.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.90Rp 179.6K
$10.57Rp 191.8K
-6.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,992
$0.71Rp 12.9K
-38.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,240
$0.72Rp 13.0K
-59.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39Rp 43.4K
$2.48Rp 45.0K
-3.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$0.78Rp 14.1K
-1.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7KRp 520.1M
$24.3KRp 441.0M
17.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7KRp 574.5M
$25.5KRp 462.1M
24.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.7Rp 919.6K
$44.19Rp 801.3K
14.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.18Rp 75.8K
$4.66Rp 84.6K
-10.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.23Rp 348.7K
$22.53Rp 408.7K
-14.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.85Rp 269.3K
$22.16Rp 401.9K
-32.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.90Rp 70.7K
$6.60Rp 119.7K
-40.91%
Cinema Ticket
$2.71Rp 49.1K
$3.05Rp 55.3K
-11.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.85Rp 904.1K
$92.8Rp 1.7M
-46.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,285Rp 77.7M
$7,565Rp 137.2M
-43.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.81Rp 395.5K
$41.23Rp 747.7K
-47.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.16Rp 383.8K
$31.03Rp 562.7K
-31.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.1Rp 1.2M
$59.1Rp 1.1M
8.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.6Rp 1.1M
$63.9Rp 1.2M
-8.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259Rp 4.7M
$242Rp 4.4M
7.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$160Rp 2.9M
$156Rp 2.8M
2.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$575Rp 10.4M
$449Rp 8.1M
27.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$337Rp 6.1M
$246Rp 4.5M
36.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,146Rp 20.8M
$704Rp 12.8M
62.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$678Rp 12.3M
$305Rp 5.5M
122.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$169Rp 3.1M
$280Rp 5.1M
-39.65%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Bandung: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $259 in Magelang and $242 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 66% 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 $181 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 10% 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 Bandung?
On paper, Bandung earns 66% less. 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 vs Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $259 in Magelang versus $242 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Magelang or Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 18% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Magelang vs 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 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 $578 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 10% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.