Cost of living in Indonesia Detail Breakdown 2025

Living in Indonesia is surprisingly affordable compared to other countries. But here’s the thing: It’s not as simple as just saying, “Everything’s cheap.”

Think about it this way: if you’re planning a short visit to a small city like Yogyakarta, you might spend less than $600 monthly. That’s pretty amazing, right? But a family living it up in Bali could easily hit $5,000 monthly. That’s a huge difference!

What makes costs jump around so much? It comes down to three big things: which city you pick, how you want to live, and how you handle the basics like housing and getting around. Plus, currency exchange rates can make your dollars stretch further or not so much.

This guide breaks everything down for you. We’ll show you quick monthly costs, then dive deep into each city.

1. Quick Monthly Cost of Living in Indonesia

The cost of living in Indonesia varies dramatically between major cities and smaller cities. Our living comparison data shows significant differences across regions, with the living index highlighting how location impacts your budget.

Jakarta

• Single person (remote worker): 18-35 million IDR ($1,200-2,300)
• Student: 8-15 million IDR ($530-990)
• Couple: 25-45 million IDR ($1,650-2,970)
• Family of 4: 40-70 million IDR ($2,640-4,620)

Bali (Canggu/Ubud)

• Single person (remote worker): 20-40 million IDR ($1,320-2,640)
• Student: 10-18 million IDR ($660-1,190)
• Couple: 28-50 million IDR ($1,850-3,300)
• Family of 4: 45-80 million IDR ($2,970-5,280)

Surabaya

• Single person (remote worker): 15-28 million IDR ($990-1,850)
• Student: 7-13 million IDR ($460-860)
• Couple: 22-38 million IDR ($1,450-2,510)
• Family of 4: 35-60 million IDR ($2,310-3,960)

Bandung

• Single person (remote worker): 12-25 million IDR ($790-1,650)
• Student: 6-12 million IDR ($400-790)
• Couple: 18-35 million IDR ($1,190-2,310)
• Family of 4: 30-55 million IDR ($1,980-3,630)

Yogyakarta (Small Town Charm)

• Single person (remote worker): 10-22 million IDR ($660-1,450)
• Student: 5-10 million IDR ($330-660)
• Couple: 15-30 million IDR ($990-1,980)
• Family of 4: 25-50 million IDR ($1,650-3,300)

2. How We Calculate Costs (Transparent & Reproducible)

Three Lifestyle Baskets

Bare-bones: Local lifestyle, shared accommodation, street food, public transport Comfortable: Mid-range accommodation, mix of local/Western food, private transport options Upscale: Expat-oriented areas, imported goods, private facilities, convenience services

Standard Line Items for Living Expenses

• Housing (rent, utilities, security deposit amortized)
• Utilities (electricity, water, gas, waste)
• Communications (mobile data, home internet)
• Food at home (grocery shopping at local markets vs supermarkets)
• Dining out (warung to mid-range restaurants)
• Transportation (motorbike, car, ride-hailing, public transportation)
• Healthcare (health insurance, routine care, prescriptions)
• Education/childcare (school fee for local vs international schools)
• Leisure activities & entertainment
• Visa/permit costs (amortized monthly)
• Emergency buffer (10-15% of total budget)

Pricing Methodology

• Data collection: Monthly surveys of 50+ price points across each city
• Exchange rate: 30-day rolling average IDR/USD (current: ~15,100 IDR/USD)
• Outlier handling: Median pricing with 25th-75th percentile ranges
• Cross-validation: Numbeo + Expatistan + local marketplace data + community input
• Update frequency: Monthly price refresh, quarterly methodology audit

3. City-by-City Deep Dives

Jakarta

Category	Bare-bones	Comfortable	Upscale
Rent (studio/1BR)	3-6 million IDR	8-15 million IDR	20-40 million IDR
Rent (3BR)	8-15 million IDR	20-35 million IDR	50-100 million IDR
Groceries/month	2-3 million IDR	4-6 million IDR	8-12 million IDR
Eating out/month	1-2 million IDR	3-5 million IDR	8-15 million IDR
Transport/month	500k-1M IDR	1.5-3M IDR	4-8M IDR
Public transportation	200-400k IDR	400-800k IDR	N/A
Coworking/month	800k-1.5M IDR	1.5-2.5M IDR	3-5M IDR
Internet (50Mbps)	400-600k IDR	600-800k IDR	1-1.5M IDR
Utilities	800k-1.2M IDR	1.2-2M IDR	2-4M IDR
Gym membership	200-400k IDR	500-800k IDR	1-2M IDR

Jakarta Reality Checks:

• Neighborhoods: Expat areas (Kemang, SCBD, PIK) cost 40-60% more than local areas (Depok, Bekasi)
• Traffic impact: 2-3 hours daily commute can double transport costs
• Flooding: Rainy season (Nov-Mar) can disrupt transport; consider location carefully
• Power outages: Backup power essential in some areas; factor into rent decisions

Bali (Canggu/Ubud)

Category	Bare-bones	Comfortable	Upscale
Rent (studio/1BR)	4-8 million IDR	10-20 million IDR	25-50 million IDR
Rent (villa 3BR)	12-20 million IDR	25-45 million IDR	60-120 million IDR
Groceries/month	2.5-4M IDR	5-8M IDR	10-15M IDR
Eating out/month	2-3M IDR	4-7M IDR	10-20M IDR
Transport/month	800k-1.5M IDR	2-4M IDR	5-10M IDR
Coworking/month	1-2M IDR	2-3M IDR	4-6M IDR

Bali Reality Checks:

• Seasonal pricing: Villa rates can increase 50-100% during peak season (Jul-Aug, Dec-Jan)
• Villa vs kost: Villas often include pool, cleaning service; kost includes basic utilities
• Water quality: Factor in 150-300k IDR/month for drinking water
• Tourism tax: New 150k IDR tax per foreign visitor (started Feb 2024)

Surabaya

Category	Bare-bones	Comfortable	Upscale
Rent (studio/1BR)	2-5 million IDR	6-12 million IDR	15-30 million IDR
Groceries/month	1.8-2.5M IDR	3.5-5M IDR	7-10M IDR
Eating out/month	1-2M IDR	2.5-4M IDR	6-10M IDR
Transport/month	400-800k IDR	1-2M IDR	3-5M IDR

Surabaya Notes: More affordable than Jakarta, strong local food scene, less expat infrastructure than Bali/Jakarta. This smaller city offers excellent value with good public transportation options.

Bandung

Category	Bare-bones	Comfortable	Upscale
Rent (studio/1BR)	1.5-4M IDR	5-10M IDR	12-25M IDR
Groceries/month	1.5-2.2M IDR	3-4.5M IDR	6-9M IDR
Eating out/month	800k-1.5M IDR	2-3.5M IDR	5-8M IDR
Transport/month	300-600k IDR	800k-1.5M IDR	2.5-4M IDR
Public transportation	150-300k IDR	300-500k IDR	N/A

Bandung Notes: 20% cheaper than Jakarta overall, cooler climate, strong student population, excellent local food. A perfect example of smaller cities offering great value.

Yogyakarta (Small Town Living)

Category	Bare-bones	Comfortable	Upscale
Rent (studio/1BR)	1-3M IDR	3-7M IDR	8-18M IDR
Groceries/month	1.2-2M IDR	2.5-4M IDR	5-8M IDR
Eating out/month	600k-1.2M IDR	1.5-3M IDR	4-7M IDR
Transport/month	250-500k IDR	600k-1.2M IDR	2-3.5M IDR
Public transportation	100-250k IDR	200-400k IDR	N/A

Yogyakarta Notes: Most affordable major city, rich cultural scene, student-friendly, excellent value for cultural immersion. This small town offers the lowest cost of living while maintaining urban amenities.

4. Rent & Housing: What Drives the Spread

Lease Structures

• Typical terms: 12-month contracts standard; some require full year upfront payment
• Deposits: 1-3 months rent plus utilities deposit (500k-2M IDR)
• Agent fees: 1 month rent (if using agent)
• What’s included: Most furnished rentals include basic furniture, some include utilities

Accommodation Types & Price Bands (IDR/month)

Kost (Boarding house):

• Basic: 1-3M IDR (shared bathroom, basic amenities)
• Premium: 3-8M IDR (private bathroom, AC, WiFi included)

Apartments:

• Studio: 3-15M IDR (varies greatly by location)
• 1-bedroom: 5-25M IDR
• 3-bedroom: 12-50M IDR

Villas (Bali primarily):

• 2-bedroom: 15-40M IDR
• 3-bedroom: 25-80M IDR
• Luxury 4+ bedroom: 60-200M+ IDR

Rent Checklist Essentials

• Verify electricity and water meter readings
• Test internet speed and connection stability
• Check for water pressure and hot water availability
• Inspect AC units and electrical outlets
• Confirm included services (cleaning, security, pool maintenance)
• Document any existing damage
• Understand utility payment responsibility

5. Food, Utilities & Transportation

Two Grocery Shopping Baskets (Monthly costs)

Local Market Grocery Shopping (1 person):

• Rice (5kg): 60-80k IDR
• Vegetables (fresh, seasonal): 300-500k IDR
• Protein (chicken, fish, tofu): 400-700k IDR
• Fruits: 200-400k IDR
• Cooking oil, spices, basics: 150-300k IDR
• Total: 1.1-2M IDR

Imported/Supermarket Grocery Shopping:

• Western cereals, dairy: 800k-1.5M IDR
• Imported meats/cheese: 1-2M IDR
• Organic/specialty items: 500k-1M IDR
• Household products: 300-500k IDR
• Total: 2.6-5M IDR

Utilities Reality

• Electricity (prepaid): 800k-3M IDR/month (AC usage is the major factor)
• Water: 100-300k IDR/month
• Gas (cooking): 50-150k IDR/month
• Internet (fiber 50Mbps): 400-800k IDR/month
• Bottled water delivery: 150-300k IDR/month

Transportation Options

Motorbike Ownership:

• Purchase: 15-35M IDR (used), 25-50M IDR (new)
• Monthly costs: 300-600k IDR (fuel, maintenance, insurance)
• Parking: 100-300k IDR/month

Ride-hailing (GoJek/Grab):

• Daily city trips: 400-800k IDR/month
• Airport runs: 150-300k IDR each way

Public Transportation:

• Jakarta: TransJakarta buses, KRL trains: 200-400k IDR/month
• Surabaya: City buses, Trans Surabaya: 150-300k IDR/month
• Bandung: Damri buses, angkot: 150-300k IDR/month
• Yogyakarta: Trans Jogja, local buses: 100-250k IDR/month
• Bali: Limited options, mainly bemo: 100-200k IDR/month

6. Healthcare & Health Insurance

Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs

• GP consultation: 200-500k IDR (private clinic), 50-150k IDR (public)
• Dental cleaning: 300-800k IDR
• Emergency room visit: 1-5M IDR (private hospital)
• Common prescriptions: 50-300k IDR
• Annual health check: 1-3M IDR

Health Insurance Premiums (Monthly)

• Local health insurance (single person): 500k-2M IDR
• International health insurance (single person): 2-8M IDR
• Family coverage (4 people): 3-15M IDR
• Maternity coverage addition: 1-4M IDR

Cost Spike Scenarios

• Private hospital birth: 20-80M IDR total
• Emergency surgery: 50-200M IDR
• Specialist consultations: 800k-2M IDR per visit

7. Visas & Legal Stay Costs

Staying in Indonesia comes with a few visa options, and each has its own cost. A short visit is the most affordable, with a 30-day Visa on Arrival costing about 500,000 IDR. If you plan to stay longer, a one-year temporary stay permit called KITAS is around 4.5 million IDR, while a five-year permanent stay permit, known as KITAP, is about 11 million IDR. These fees were last updated in December 2024.

When you spread the cost across the months, it gives you a clearer idea of what to expect in your budget. For example, extending a tourist visa works out to about 300,000 IDR per month, while a social or cultural visa is closer to 500,000 IDR per month. For KITAS holders, the monthly cost, including renewals, usually falls between 600,000 and 800,000 IDR.

Visa rules are updated from time to time, and requirements can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the system. To save yourself from guesswork and possible delays, it helps to have a reliable source of guidance. At visa-indonesia.com, we make it easier to understand your options and handle the paperwork so you can focus on enjoying your stay.

👉 Check your Indonesian visa here and see which one fits your plans best.

8. Money & Banking for Long-Stayers

Local Bank Account Setup

• Required documents: KITAS, passport, proof of address
• Initial deposit: 500k-2M IDR minimum
• Monthly fees: 25-100k IDR account maintenance

ATM & Transfer Costs

• Local ATM withdrawal: Free with same bank, 5-15k IDR other banks
• International ATM: 50-100k IDR + foreign bank fees
• Domestic transfers: Free to 10k IDR

Money Transfer Considerations

• Bank wire spreads: 2-4% above mid-market rate
• Digital services (Wise, etc.): 0.5-2% spread, transparent fees
• Cash exchange: Best rates at gold shops, avoid hotels/airports

9. Salaries, PPP & Real Purchasing Power

Median Net Salaries by City (IDR/month)

• Jakarta: 8-15M IDR (professionals), 3-6M IDR (service workers)
• Surabaya: 6-12M IDR (professionals), 2.5-5M IDR (service workers)
• Bandung: 5-10M IDR (professionals), 2-4M IDR (service workers)
• Bali: 4-8M IDR (professionals), 2-3.5M IDR (service workers)
• Yogyakarta: 4-8M IDR (professionals), 2-3M IDR (service workers)

Purchasing Power Context

Indonesia’s inflation has remained relatively low (2-4% annually), making budget projections more reliable. The rupiah has been relatively stable against the USD in 2024-2025, trading in the 14,800-15,400 range.

PPP Adjustment: Indonesia’s cost of living is approximately 60-70% lower than the US for equivalent goods and services, though imported items show minimal PPP advantage.

10. Bali vs “The Rest of Indonesia”

Why Bali Costs More

You need around 62.9M IDR in Bali to maintain the same standard of life that costs 41M IDR in Jakarta – a 53% premium largely due to:

• Tourism inflation: Popular areas inflated by tourist spending power
• Import dependency: Many Western goods imported through Jakarta, then shipped to Bali
• Infrastructure costs: Water, electricity, waste management more expensive on island
• Expat services premium: International schools, Western healthcare, English-speaking services

Living Comparison: Side-by-Side Estimated Monthly Costs (Comfortable lifestyle)

Expense	Bali Canggu	Bandung (Small Town)	Jakarta Suburbs
1BR apartment	15M IDR	8M IDR	10M IDR
Food (home + out)	6M IDR	4M IDR	5M IDR
Transport	3M IDR	1.5M IDR	2M IDR
Utilities	1.8M IDR	1.2M IDR	1.5M IDR
Leisure activities	3M IDR	1.5M IDR	2M IDR
TOTAL	28.8M IDR	16.2M IDR	20.5M IDR