🙂A single person spends $662 per month in Makassar vs $825 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,005 per month in Makassar vs $1,356 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,347 per month in Makassar vs $1,888 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂Makassar is about 20% cheaper than Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Makassar and Jakarta are more affordable than the global median – Makassar51% lower, Jakarta38% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13Rp 55.9K
$2.99Rp 53.4K
4.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.45Rp 168.8K
$18.68Rp 333.6K
-49.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.98Rp 53.2K
$3.64Rp 64.9K
-18.13%
Cappuccino
$1.74Rp 31.1K
$2.17Rp 38.8K
-19.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.52Rp 9,263
36.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39Rp 6,976
$0.26Rp 4,627
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.67Rp 65.5K
$2.72Rp 48.5K
34.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72Rp 66.4K
$4.34Rp 77.5K
-14.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63Rp 29.1K
$1.38Rp 24.7K
18.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09Rp 19.4K
$1.16Rp 20.6K
-6.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$0.98Rp 17.5K
-34.69%
Eggs
$1.44Rp 25.8K
$1.81Rp 32.4K
-20.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.49Rp 98.0K
$6.57Rp 117.3K
-16.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.77Rp 49.5K
$3.23Rp 57.6K
-14.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.36Rp 77.8K
$7.78Rp 139.0K
-43.96%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 40.9K
$2.83Rp 50.5K
-19.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.3K
$1.57Rp 28.0K
4.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.0K
$2.19Rp 39.2K
-15.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.0K
$1.49Rp 26.7K
5.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26Rp 22.5K
$1.79Rp 32.0K
-29.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.9K
$2.62Rp 46.8K
-40.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.41Rp 7,381
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-60.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,440
$0.46Rp 8,209
2.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56Rp 45.8K
$3.09Rp 55.2K
-17.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.53Rp 402.4K
$21.09Rp 376.6K
6.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.4K
$2.21Rp 39.5K
-4.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48Rp 44.3K
$3.13Rp 55.9K
-20.77%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,720
$0.23Rp 4,122
39.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.51Rp 80.5K
$12.12Rp 216.4K
-62.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.0K
$0.58Rp 10.3K
-3.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,115
$0.34Rp 6,146
-14.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.03Rp 54.1K
$3.05Rp 54.5K
-0.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$0.80Rp 14.3K
-2.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8KRp 299.6M
$31.3KRp 558.7M
-46.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7KRp 334.7M
$32.6KRp 582.9M
-42.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.5Rp 1.2M
$89.4Rp 1.6M
-25.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.50Rp 62.5K
$6.44Rp 115.0K
-45.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.44Rp 579.2K
$27.04Rp 482.9K
19.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.28Rp 415.8K
$29.82Rp 532.6K
-21.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.03Rp 107.6K
$12.45Rp 222.3K
-51.57%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16Rp 56.4K
$3.05Rp 54.5K
3.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$106Rp 1.9M
$167Rp 3.0M
-36.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,097Rp 73.2M
$9,722Rp 173.6M
-57.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.05Rp 536.6K
$57.1Rp 1.0M
-47.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.17Rp 449.4K
$32.94Rp 588.2K
-23.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.8Rp 1.5M
$83.9Rp 1.5M
-2.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.93Rp 784.5K
$88.0Rp 1.6M
-50.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$212Rp 3.8M
$385Rp 6.9M
-45.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$168Rp 3.0M
$238Rp 4.3M
-29.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$438Rp 7.8M
$1,152Rp 20.6M
-61.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$333Rp 5.9M
$646Rp 11.5M
-48.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,167Rp 20.8M
$2,787Rp 49.8M
-58.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$737Rp 13.2M
$1,422Rp 25.4M
-48.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$218Rp 3.9M
$453Rp 8.1M
-51.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
9.59
-37.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: June 2, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $212 in Makassar versus $385 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 108% 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 Makassar versus $19.00 in Jakarta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $215 – making Makassar 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
Makassar vs Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makassar or Jakarta?
Jakarta costs about 25% more than Makassar, 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 Makassar vs Jakarta?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $993 per month in Makassar and $1,237 in Jakarta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Makassar or Jakarta?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Makassar, 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 Makassar and Jakarta?
Kindergarten costs $106 per month in Makassar and $167 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 Makassar or Jakarta?
Groceries cost about 13% 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 Makassar or Jakarta?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $662 in Makassar and $825 in Jakarta, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makassar or Jakarta?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Makassar costs $662 versus $825 in Jakarta. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Makassar or Jakarta?
If budget matters most, go with Makassar. 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.