🙂A single person spends $644 per month in Makassar vs $815 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $980 per month in Makassar vs $1,325 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,317 per month in Makassar vs $1,834 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂Makassar is about 21% cheaper than Jakarta, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Makassar and Jakarta are more affordable than the global median – Makassar53% lower, Jakarta40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.65Rp 29.3K
$2.49Rp 44.0K
-33.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.03Rp 159.8K
$15.86Rp 280.9K
-43.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.21Rp 56.9K
$3.43Rp 60.8K
-6.41%
Cappuccino
$1.99Rp 35.3K
$2.06Rp 36.5K
-3.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,874
$0.42Rp 7,520
19.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34Rp 6,003
$0.26Rp 4,614
30.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.59Rp 45.8K
$2.65Rp 47.0K
-2.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27Rp 58.0K
$3.89Rp 68.9K
-15.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62Rp 28.6K
$1.46Rp 25.8K
10.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00Rp 17.7K
$1.15Rp 20.4K
-13.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.61Rp 10.8K
$0.84Rp 14.9K
-27.38%
Eggs
$1.50Rp 26.6K
$1.76Rp 31.1K
-14.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.60Rp 116.8K
$9.81Rp 173.8K
-32.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.51Rp 62.1K
$2.99Rp 53.0K
17.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.28Rp 93.6K
$7.67Rp 135.7K
-31.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39Rp 42.3K
$2.87Rp 50.8K
-16.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.39Rp 24.7K
$1.37Rp 24.2K
1.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94Rp 34.4K
$2.65Rp 46.9K
-26.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.79Rp 31.6K
$1.37Rp 24.3K
30.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14Rp 20.2K
$1.35Rp 23.9K
-15.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.3K
$2.10Rp 37.2K
-23.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$0.93Rp 16.5K
-13.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,020
$0.51Rp 9,092
-21.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69Rp 47.6K
$2.85Rp 50.4K
-5.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.97Rp 406.7K
$21.74Rp 384.9K
5.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84Rp 32.6K
$2.12Rp 37.5K
-13.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30Rp 40.7K
$3.22Rp 57.0K
-28.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,734
$0.29Rp 5,206
-6.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.35Rp 77.0K
$11.72Rp 207.6K
-62.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,032
$0.53Rp 9,420
-3.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.36Rp 6,314
$0.36Rp 6,293
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.89Rp 51.2K
$3.30Rp 58.4K
-12.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$0.78Rp 13.8K
1.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.7KRp 277.8M
$28.7KRp 507.9M
-45.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9KRp 299.4M
$33.4KRp 590.9M
-49.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$90.0Rp 1.6M
$108Rp 1.9M
-16.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.61Rp 46.2K
$6.07Rp 107.5K
-57.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.25Rp 447.2K
$19.01Rp 336.7K
32.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.32Rp 377.5K
$26.63Rp 471.5K
-19.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.06Rp 408.3K
$13.81Rp 244.5K
66.98%
Cinema Ticket
$3.50Rp 62.0K
$3.44Rp 60.9K
1.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.9Rp 1.7M
$155Rp 2.7M
-38.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,893Rp 68.9M
$8,224Rp 145.6M
-52.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.74Rp 491.2K
$60.1Rp 1.1M
-53.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.02Rp 425.4K
$28.63Rp 506.9K
-16.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.9Rp 1.3M
$73.3Rp 1.3M
2.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.90Rp 724.2K
$110Rp 1.9M
-62.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$195Rp 3.4M
$363Rp 6.4M
-46.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152Rp 2.7M
$204Rp 3.6M
-25.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$403Rp 7.1M
$1,179Rp 20.9M
-65.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$313Rp 5.5M
$581Rp 10.3M
-46.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,438Rp 25.5M
$3,009Rp 53.3M
-52.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$572Rp 10.1M
$1,477Rp 26.2M
-61.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$218Rp 3.9M
$460Rp 8.1M
-52.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
9.46
-36.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: September 15, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $195 in Makassar versus $363 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 111% 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 $16.00 in Jakarta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $199 vs $223 – 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 27% 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 and in Jakarta?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $966 per month in Makassar and $1,223 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 in Jakarta?
Kindergarten costs $94.9 per month in Makassar and $155 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 in Jakarta?
Groceries cost about 12% 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 in Jakarta?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $644 in Makassar and $815 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 $644 versus $815 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 to 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.