🙂A single person spends $660 per month in Surakarta vs $849 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $999 per month in Surakarta vs $1,389 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,339 per month in Surakarta vs $1,929 in Jakarta, rent included.
🙂Surakarta is about 22% cheaper than Jakarta, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Surakarta and Jakarta are more affordable than the global median – Surakarta51% lower, Jakarta37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.50Rp 26.0K
$3.02Rp 52.3K
-50.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.10Rp 209.8K
$18.34Rp 317.8K
-34.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.16Rp 54.7K
$3.51Rp 60.8K
-9.97%
Cappuccino
$1.65Rp 28.6K
$2.14Rp 37.2K
-22.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.5K
$0.52Rp 8,949
15.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,721
$0.28Rp 4,873
-3.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85Rp 32.1K
$2.73Rp 47.2K
-32.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84Rp 49.3K
$4.26Rp 73.8K
-33.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 19.9K
$1.39Rp 24.2K
-17.27%
White Bread(500g)
$0.90Rp 15.6K
$1.16Rp 20.1K
-22.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.0K
$1.03Rp 17.8K
-27.18%
Eggs
$1.23Rp 21.4K
$1.87Rp 32.4K
-34.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.99Rp 155.8K
$6.29Rp 109.0K
42.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.89Rp 50.1K
$3.12Rp 54.1K
-7.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.27Rp 126.0K
$7.86Rp 136.2K
-7.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.40Rp 41.6K
$2.86Rp 49.5K
-16.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54Rp 26.7K
$1.55Rp 26.9K
-0.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12Rp 36.7K
$2.19Rp 38.0K
-3.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.39Rp 24.1K
$1.49Rp 25.8K
-6.71%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 23.8K
$1.81Rp 31.4K
-24.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.65Rp 28.6K
$2.63Rp 45.6K
-37.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62Rp 10.8K
$1.06Rp 18.4K
-41.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 7,898
$0.42Rp 7,277
9.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18Rp 37.7K
$2.96Rp 51.3K
-26.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.86Rp 153.6K
$22.32Rp 386.9K
-60.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78Rp 30.8K
$2.23Rp 38.7K
-20.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15Rp 54.6K
$3.06Rp 53.0K
2.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45Rp 7,757
$0.21Rp 3,624
114.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.08Rp 174.7K
$12.42Rp 215.3K
-18.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,642
$0.54Rp 9,305
-18.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,002
$0.37Rp 6,497
-21.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.69Rp 46.7K
$3.14Rp 54.5K
-14.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.3K
$0.78Rp 13.4K
-1.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8KRp 359.7M
$30.1KRp 522.5M
-31.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.1KRp 608.9M
$32.4KRp 561.6M
8.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.9Rp 1.5M
$89.7Rp 1.6M
-5.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.22Rp 38.5K
$6.56Rp 113.8K
-66.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.77Rp 342.6K
$27.10Rp 469.6K
-27.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.77Rp 342.6K
$30.54Rp 529.3K
-35.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00Rp 104.0K
$12.74Rp 220.9K
-52.90%
Cinema Ticket
$2.21Rp 38.3K
$3.04Rp 52.6K
-27.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.42Rp 648.5K
$169Rp 2.9M
-77.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,046Rp 35.5M
$9,651Rp 167.3M
-78.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3Rp 1.1M
$56.5Rp 978.4K
10.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.19Rp 661.9K
$33.55Rp 581.5K
13.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.7Rp 1.3M
$84.5Rp 1.5M
-8.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.9Rp 1.2M
$88.3Rp 1.5M
-19.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.5M
$377Rp 6.5M
-30.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$239Rp 4.1M
-34.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$581Rp 10.1M
$1,176Rp 20.4M
-50.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$331Rp 5.7M
$658Rp 11.4M
-49.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,777Rp 48.1M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,418Rp 24.6M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$164Rp 2.8M
$476Rp 8.3M
-65.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.33
9.59
-13.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surakarta: April 27, 2026
Last update for Jakarta: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $262 in Surakarta versus $377 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 191% 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 $12.00 in Surakarta versus $18.00 in Jakarta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $177 vs $217 – making Surakarta 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
Surakarta vs Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Surakarta or Jakarta?
Jakarta costs about 29% more than Surakarta, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Surakarta vs Jakarta?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $990 per month in Surakarta and $1,274 in Jakarta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Surakarta or Jakarta?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Surakarta, 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 Surakarta and Jakarta?
Kindergarten costs $37.42 per month in Surakarta and $169 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 Surakarta or Jakarta?
Groceries cost about 23% 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 $1,200/month in Surakarta or Jakarta?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $660 in Surakarta and $849 in Jakarta, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Surakarta or Jakarta?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Surakarta costs $660 versus $849 in Jakarta. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Surakarta or Jakarta?
If budget matters most, go with Surakarta. 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.