🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $558 in Mataram versus $628 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $861 in Mataram versus $937 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,163 in Mataram versus $1,247 in Bandung.
🌍Living in Mataram costs roughly 11% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mataram58% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.11Rp 20.1K
$1.30Rp 23.5K
-14.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.00Rp 198.5K
$9.27Rp 167.3K
18.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.28Rp 41.1K
$3.42Rp 61.8K
-33.33%
Cappuccino
$1.80Rp 32.5K
$1.45Rp 26.2K
24.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55Rp 9,869
$0.50Rp 8,955
10.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,535
$0.25Rp 4,465
44.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.63Rp 47.5K
$3.36Rp 60.6K
-21.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67Rp 66.2K
$3.61Rp 65.1K
1.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.53Rp 27.7K
$1.21Rp 21.9K
26.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.61Rp 29.1K
$1.07Rp 19.4K
50.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.76Rp 13.8K
$0.93Rp 16.8K
-18.28%
Eggs
$1.37Rp 24.8K
$1.58Rp 28.6K
-13.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.31Rp 59.7K
$9.26Rp 167.2K
-64.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.59Rp 64.8K
$3.01Rp 54.4K
19.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.99Rp 108.2K
$7.86Rp 141.9K
-23.79%
Apples(1kg)
$1.72Rp 31.0K
$2.31Rp 41.6K
-25.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22Rp 22.0K
$1.29Rp 23.3K
-5.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89Rp 34.1K
$1.70Rp 30.6K
11.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.5K
$1.60Rp 28.9K
-53.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84Rp 15.2K
$1.48Rp 26.8K
-43.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.80Rp 32.5K
$2.65Rp 47.9K
-32.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48Rp 8,639
$0.96Rp 17.4K
-50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32Rp 5,695
$0.46Rp 8,329
-30.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.78Rp 32.1K
$2.48Rp 44.7K
-28.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.33Rp 276.7K
$21.80Rp 393.6K
-29.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.36Rp 42.6K
$2.09Rp 37.7K
12.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58Rp 64.6K
$3.43Rp 61.9K
4.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63Rp 11.5K
$0.30Rp 5,346
110.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.41Rp 332.4K
$10.23Rp 184.7K
79.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,185
$0.70Rp 12.7K
-27.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,661
$0.77Rp 13.9K
-59.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.08Rp 55.7K
$2.58Rp 46.5K
19.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.69Rp 12.4K
$0.79Rp 14.3K
-12.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.3KRp 420.7M
$25.0KRp 451.0M
-6.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KRp 496.7M
$26.1KRp 471.5M
5.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.4Rp 909.6K
$44.55Rp 804.2K
13.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.32Rp 78.1K
$4.69Rp 84.7K
-7.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.37Rp 349.8K
$22.48Rp 405.8K
-13.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.95Rp 486.5K
$21.87Rp 394.8K
23.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.48Rp 135.0K
$6.58Rp 118.8K
13.68%
Cinema Ticket
$2.10Rp 38.0K
$3.11Rp 56.1K
-32.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.5Rp 1.7M
$94.2Rp 1.7M
-2.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,217Rp 76.1M
$7,688Rp 138.8M
-45.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.84Rp 665.2K
$41.35Rp 746.4K
-10.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.43Rp 441.0K
$31.15Rp 562.3K
-21.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.5Rp 1.1M
$58.2Rp 1.1M
5.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.48Rp 730.8K
$63.6Rp 1.1M
-36.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$76.8Rp 1.4M
$240Rp 4.3M
-68.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$128Rp 2.3M
$154Rp 2.8M
-16.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$153Rp 2.8M
$454Rp 8.2M
-66.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$259Rp 4.7M
$246Rp 4.4M
5.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,155Rp 20.8M
$727Rp 13.1M
58.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$679Rp 12.3M
$308Rp 5.6M
120.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$192Rp 3.5M
$283Rp 5.1M
-32.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9
9.15
-1.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mataram: July 26, 2026
Last update for Bandung: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $76.8 in Mataram and $240 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 47% 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: $11.00 in Mataram vs $9.00 in Bandung. Groceries flip the comparison at $174 vs $213, with Mataram cheaper for home cooking.
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
Mataram vs Bandung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mataram or Bandung?
Mataram wins on cost – living expenses run 13% lower than in Bandung. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mataram the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Mataram or in Bandung?
On paper, salaries run 47% 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 Mataram compared to Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $76.8 in Mataram versus $240 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Mataram or in Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Mataram and in Bandung?
Dining out is cheaper in Mataram – a meal for two runs $11.00 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 Mataram or in Bandung?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Mataram 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, Mataram or Bandung?
Both work as nomad bases, but Mataram delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $558 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Mataram hard to pass up.
How safe is Mataram compared to Bandung?
Safety-wise, Mataram 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 Mataram gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.