🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $540 in Magelang versus $651 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $856 in Magelang versus $951 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,172 in Magelang versus $1,250 in Bandung.
🌍Living in Magelang costs roughly 17% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Magelang61% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.44Rp 25.4K
$1.44Rp 25.3K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.73Rp 153.8K
$13.87Rp 244.2K
-37.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.69Rp 47.3K
$3.35Rp 59.1K
-19.70%
Cappuccino
$0.77Rp 13.5K
$1.49Rp 26.3K
-48.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33Rp 5,739
$0.46Rp 8,137
-28.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18Rp 3,181
$0.23Rp 4,033
-21.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.35Rp 23.7K
$3.05Rp 53.6K
-55.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 48.9K
$3.06Rp 53.9K
-9.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05Rp 18.6K
$1.15Rp 20.3K
-8.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.11Rp 19.6K
$1.00Rp 17.6K
11.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.81Rp 14.3K
$0.83Rp 14.5K
-2.41%
Eggs
$1.21Rp 21.3K
$1.50Rp 26.3K
-19.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.86Rp 120.8K
$7.37Rp 129.9K
-6.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.42Rp 42.7K
$2.87Rp 50.6K
-15.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.90Rp 121.5K
$7.81Rp 137.5K
-11.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.0K
$2.20Rp 38.8K
-4.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.19Rp 21.0K
$1.06Rp 18.7K
12.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28Rp 22.5K
$1.50Rp 26.5K
-14.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.7K
$0.94Rp 16.6K
-5.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.0K
$1.11Rp 19.5K
-8.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.39Rp 24.5K
$1.89Rp 33.3K
-26.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75Rp 13.2K
$0.71Rp 12.4K
5.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,394
$0.44Rp 7,663
-18.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.04Rp 35.9K
$2.65Rp 46.7K
-23.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.88Rp 297.2K
$22.98Rp 404.7K
-26.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57Rp 27.6K
$1.94Rp 34.2K
-19.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18Rp 38.4K
$3.33Rp 58.6K
-34.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,155
$0.29Rp 5,161
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.37Rp 147.4K
$9.69Rp 170.6K
-13.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.43Rp 7,561
$0.83Rp 14.6K
-48.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,183
$0.53Rp 9,248
-33.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.23Rp 39.2K
$2.39Rp 42.0K
-6.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.71Rp 12.4K
$0.84Rp 14.8K
-15.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.7KRp 452.9M
$21.9KRp 385.3M
17.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.4KRp 518.6M
$29.1KRp 512.7M
1.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.35Rp 816.3K
$34.81Rp 613.1K
33.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.94Rp 69.3K
$4.37Rp 77.0K
-9.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.82Rp 349.1K
$19.10Rp 336.3K
3.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.96Rp 245.9K
$18.97Rp 334.2K
-26.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.66Rp 64.4K
$6.09Rp 107.3K
-39.90%
Cinema Ticket
$2.58Rp 45.5K
$2.79Rp 49.2K
-7.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.84Rp 807.3K
$94.5Rp 1.7M
-51.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,894Rp 68.6M
$8,481Rp 149.4M
-54.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.07Rp 353.4K
$39.09Rp 688.4K
-48.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.83Rp 349.3K
$33.10Rp 582.9K
-40.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.5Rp 1.0M
$77.3Rp 1.4M
-24.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.3Rp 938.8K
$71.8Rp 1.3M
-25.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$226Rp 4.0M
$218Rp 3.8M
3.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$186Rp 3.3M
-15.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$561Rp 9.9M
$384Rp 6.8M
46.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$362Rp 6.4M
$266Rp 4.7M
36.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,184Rp 20.9M
$723Rp 12.7M
63.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$662Rp 11.7M
$312Rp 5.5M
111.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$180Rp 3.2M
$288Rp 5.1M
-37.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
11.38
-34.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Magelang: September 6, 2026
Last update for Bandung: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $226 in Magelang and $218 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 60% 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 $14.00 in Bandung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $170 vs $196 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 21% 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 60% 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: $226 in Magelang versus $218 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 16% 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 $14.00 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 $540 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 21% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.