🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $578 in Mataram versus $634 in Bandung.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $867 in Mataram versus $945 in Bandung.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,157 in Mataram versus $1,257 in Bandung.
🙂Living in Mataram costs roughly 9% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mataram57% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.06Rp 19.1K
$1.26Rp 22.6K
-15.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.01Rp 197.3K
$9.09Rp 162.8K
21.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.35Rp 42.2K
$3.30Rp 59.2K
-28.79%
Cappuccino
$1.87Rp 33.5K
$1.49Rp 26.7K
25.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54Rp 9,705
$0.49Rp 8,831
10.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,486
$0.27Rp 4,864
33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.54Rp 45.4K
$3.47Rp 62.2K
-26.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77Rp 67.5K
$3.57Rp 64.0K
5.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54Rp 27.6K
$1.22Rp 21.8K
26.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.67Rp 30.0K
$1.06Rp 19.0K
57.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$0.95Rp 17.0K
-12.63%
Eggs
$1.43Rp 25.5K
$1.60Rp 28.7K
-10.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.19Rp 57.2K
$8.91Rp 159.6K
-64.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.59Rp 64.2K
$3.12Rp 55.9K
15.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.10Rp 109.3K
$8.01Rp 143.6K
-23.85%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.4K
$2.27Rp 40.7K
-27.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.26Rp 22.7K
$1.29Rp 23.2K
-2.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.2K
$1.73Rp 30.9K
6.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.4K
$1.60Rp 28.6K
-53.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84Rp 15.0K
$1.40Rp 25.1K
-40.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.7K
$2.68Rp 48.1K
-29.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48Rp 8,621
$0.89Rp 16.0K
-46.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34Rp 6,097
$0.45Rp 8,114
-24.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.80Rp 32.2K
$2.48Rp 44.5K
-27.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.23Rp 272.9K
$22.04Rp 394.9K
-30.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39Rp 42.8K
$2.09Rp 37.4K
14.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80Rp 68.1K
$3.42Rp 61.4K
11.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64Rp 11.4K
$0.32Rp 5,785
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.26Rp 327.2K
$10.57Rp 189.4K
72.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,057
$0.71Rp 12.7K
-28.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,136
$0.72Rp 12.8K
-59.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.99Rp 53.5K
$2.48Rp 44.4K
20.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$0.78Rp 14.0K
-17.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KRp 415.3M
$24.3KRp 435.6M
-4.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KRp 486.3M
$25.5KRp 456.5M
6.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.4Rp 902.3K
$44.19Rp 791.6K
13.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.25Rp 76.2K
$4.66Rp 83.6K
-8.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.16Rp 343.3K
$22.53Rp 403.7K
-14.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.28Rp 470.9K
$22.16Rp 397.0K
18.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.75Rp 138.9K
$6.60Rp 118.2K
17.42%
Cinema Ticket
$2.19Rp 39.2K
$3.05Rp 54.6K
-28.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$90.9Rp 1.6M
$92.8Rp 1.7M
-2.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,244Rp 76.0M
$7,565Rp 135.5M
-43.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.49Rp 671.7K
$41.23Rp 738.6K
-9.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.39Rp 437.0K
$31.03Rp 555.9K
-21.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.0Rp 1.1M
$59.1Rp 1.1M
3.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.32Rp 722.3K
$63.9Rp 1.1M
-36.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$77.1Rp 1.4M
$242Rp 4.3M
-68.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$127Rp 2.3M
$156Rp 2.8M
-18.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$449Rp 8.1M
-65.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$246Rp 4.4M
4.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,135Rp 20.3M
$704Rp 12.6M
61.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$700Rp 12.5M
$305Rp 5.5M
129.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$197Rp 3.5M
$280Rp 5.0M
-29.91%
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: June 9, 2026
Last update for Bandung: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $77.1 in Mataram and $242 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 43% 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 $176 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 10% 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 Bandung?
On paper, Bandung earns 43% 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 Mataram vs Bandung?
Rent for a central apartment: $77.1 in Mataram versus $242 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Mataram or Bandung?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Bandung. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Mataram vs 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 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 $578 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 10% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.