🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $611 in Mataram versus $645 in Bandung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $985 in Mataram versus $942 in Bandung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,360 in Mataram versus $1,239 in Bandung.
🌍Living in Mataram costs roughly 5% less than in Bandung, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mataram55% lower, Bandung53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.95Rp 16.9K
$1.40Rp 24.9K
-32.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.19Rp 162.8K
$14.00Rp 247.9K
-34.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.31Rp 58.6K
$3.35Rp 59.3K
-1.19%
Cappuccino
$1.58Rp 28.0K
$1.55Rp 27.5K
1.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,461
$0.45Rp 8,040
-6.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33Rp 5,866
$0.23Rp 4,043
43.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.67Rp 47.3K
$3.21Rp 56.8K
-16.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38Rp 59.8K
$3.15Rp 55.8K
7.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35Rp 24.0K
$1.10Rp 19.5K
22.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56Rp 27.7K
$1.04Rp 18.4K
50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84Rp 14.8K
$0.88Rp 15.6K
-4.55%
Eggs
$1.51Rp 26.8K
$1.44Rp 25.5K
4.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.95Rp 140.8K
$7.32Rp 129.6K
8.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.05Rp 54.0K
$2.85Rp 50.5K
7.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.01Rp 141.8K
$8.24Rp 145.9K
-2.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.09Rp 37.0K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
-8.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.35Rp 23.9K
$1.12Rp 19.7K
20.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.77Rp 31.4K
$1.49Rp 26.4K
18.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.25Rp 22.1K
$0.95Rp 16.8K
31.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.4K
$1.11Rp 19.6K
18.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.1K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-10.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.77Rp 13.6K
$0.66Rp 11.6K
16.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,385
$0.41Rp 7,252
2.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.67Rp 47.2K
$2.79Rp 49.4K
-4.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.74Rp 367.2K
$22.80Rp 403.8K
-9.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91Rp 33.8K
$1.93Rp 34.1K
-1.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70Rp 47.7K
$3.35Rp 59.3K
-19.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,673
$0.27Rp 4,725
18.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.57Rp 169.5K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rp 8,601
$0.81Rp 14.4K
-39.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33Rp 5,886
$0.55Rp 9,759
-40.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.13Rp 55.3K
$2.34Rp 41.5K
33.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.62Rp 11.0K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
-20.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.6KRp 400.1M
$21.2KRp 375.9M
6.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KRp 632.0M
$29.5KRp 522.2M
21.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.6Rp 1.3M
$33.79Rp 598.3K
123.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.06Rp 71.9K
$4.39Rp 77.7K
-7.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.22Rp 340.4K
$19.60Rp 347.0K
-1.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.32Rp 359.8K
$18.96Rp 335.7K
7.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.23Rp 128.1K
$5.92Rp 104.9K
22.13%
Cinema Ticket
$2.90Rp 51.4K
$2.88Rp 51.1K
0.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$106Rp 1.9M
$93.8Rp 1.7M
12.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,960Rp 158.7M
$8,255Rp 146.2M
8.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.12Rp 816.6K
$39.76Rp 704.0K
16.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.40Rp 520.6K
$33.16Rp 587.1K
-11.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.7Rp 1.3M
$77.5Rp 1.4M
-6.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.1Rp 1.3M
$70.5Rp 1.2M
3.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$231Rp 4.1M
$222Rp 3.9M
3.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$137Rp 2.4M
$182Rp 3.2M
-24.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$641Rp 11.3M
$390Rp 6.9M
64.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371Rp 6.6M
$269Rp 4.8M
37.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,312Rp 23.2M
$738Rp 13.1M
77.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$668Rp 11.8M
$311Rp 5.5M
114.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mataram
Bandung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$227Rp 4.0M
$285Rp 5.1M
-20.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.46
11.38
-16.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mataram: September 13, 2026
Last update for Bandung: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $231 in Mataram and $222 in Bandung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bandung pays 26% 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: $9.00 in Mataram vs $14.00 in Bandung. Groceries flip the comparison at $205 vs $197, with Bandung 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 6% 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 26% 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: $231 in Mataram versus $222 in Bandung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Mataram and in Bandung?
Childcare runs $106 in Mataram versus $93.8 in Bandung. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Mataram and in Bandung?
Dining out is cheaper in Mataram – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $14.00 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 $611 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 6% less than in Bandung. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.