🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $569 in Magelang versus $640 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $884 in Magelang versus $943 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,198 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, Bandung52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.56Rp 26.8K
$1.26Rp 21.6K
23.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.44Rp 162.2K
$8.98Rp 154.3K
5.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.93Rp 50.4K
$3.42Rp 58.8K
-14.33%
Cappuccino
$0.84Rp 14.4K
$1.46Rp 25.1K
-42.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,592
$0.50Rp 8,540
-24.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18Rp 3,141
$0.25Rp 4,275
-28.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.48Rp 25.5K
$3.28Rp 56.5K
-54.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95Rp 50.7K
$3.47Rp 59.7K
-14.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 19.7K
$1.17Rp 20.0K
-1.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 20.6K
$1.10Rp 19.0K
9.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.2K
$0.95Rp 16.3K
-6.32%
Eggs
$1.48Rp 25.5K
$1.60Rp 27.5K
-7.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.46Rp 128.2K
$9.19Rp 158.0K
-18.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.57Rp 44.1K
$2.97Rp 51.1K
-13.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.71Rp 132.5K
$7.76Rp 133.4K
-0.64%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19Rp 37.6K
$2.31Rp 39.8K
-5.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.28Rp 22.0K
$1.34Rp 22.9K
-4.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39Rp 24.0K
$1.63Rp 28.0K
-14.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 16.7K
$1.55Rp 26.6K
-37.42%
Potato(1kg)
$1.12Rp 19.3K
$1.48Rp 25.4K
-24.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.44Rp 24.7K
$2.69Rp 46.2K
-46.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90Rp 15.5K
$0.90Rp 15.5K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37Rp 6,323
$0.43Rp 7,337
-13.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.52Rp 43.4K
$2.49Rp 42.8K
1.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.60Rp 302.5K
$22.99Rp 395.1K
-23.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66Rp 28.5K
$2.05Rp 35.3K
-19.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28Rp 39.2K
$3.48Rp 59.9K
-34.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33Rp 5,594
$0.30Rp 5,114
10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.86Rp 169.4K
$10.35Rp 177.9K
-4.73%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 7,685
$0.72Rp 12.4K
-37.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,359
$0.77Rp 13.2K
-59.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39Rp 41.0K
$2.55Rp 43.9K
-6.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84Rp 14.4K
$0.81Rp 13.9K
3.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRp 490.5M
$24.8KRp 426.7M
14.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7KRp 543.9M
$26.1KRp 449.3M
21.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.5Rp 867.6K
$43.92Rp 754.7K
14.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.19Rp 72.0K
$4.52Rp 77.7K
-7.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.64Rp 337.5K
$22.32Rp 383.6K
-12.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.31Rp 263.0K
$21.99Rp 377.9K
-30.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.04Rp 69.5K
$6.53Rp 112.3K
-38.13%
Cinema Ticket
$2.77Rp 47.6K
$3.04Rp 52.2K
-8.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.23Rp 846.0K
$94.8Rp 1.6M
-48.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,370Rp 75.1M
$7,487Rp 128.7M
-41.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.56Rp 370.6K
$41.51Rp 713.4K
-48.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.62Rp 371.5K
$30.42Rp 522.7K
-28.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.9Rp 1.1M
$58.2Rp 1.0M
7.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.2Rp 1.0M
$65.6Rp 1.1M
-9.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$263Rp 4.5M
$237Rp 4.1M
10.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$154Rp 2.6M
1.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$587Rp 10.1M
$456Rp 7.8M
28.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$337Rp 5.8M
$245Rp 4.2M
37.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,240Rp 21.3M
$760Rp 13.1M
63.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$763Rp 13.1M
$323Rp 5.6M
135.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magelang
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$179Rp 3.1M
$293Rp 5.0M
-38.87%
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: April 21, 2026
Last update for Bandung: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $263 in Magelang and $237 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 64% 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 in Magelang vs $9 in Bandung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $214 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 12% 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 64% 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: $263 in Magelang versus $237 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 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 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 $569 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 12% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.