Indonesia is made up of the largest archipelago in the world – over 17,000 islands, each with their own character and culture. Its major islands include Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and many more. Enjoy Bali’s beach culture, volcanos in Sumatra or search the rainforests of Sumatra for an orangutan sighting. Indonesia is a country which has so much to offer everyone who has the opportunity of living there.
If you are considering moving to Indonesia, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Indonesia Facts:
- Population: 280,055,491 (As of 7th October 2022 UN Worldometer)
- Official Language: Indonesian or Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia. However, there are over 800 different dialects and languages spoken in the country, including English.
- GDP Per Capita: RP5,91,68,739.81($3,869.59 USD)
- Komodo dragon: The Komodo dragon is the largest monitor lizard in the world, growing up to 3m long and can weigh as much as 135kgs. It can found on Komodo Island and a few islands in the same vicinity.
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The value of Indonesian Rupiah (Rp/RP) is, Rp1 = $0.000065, Rp1 + €0.000067, Rp1 = $0.000090 CAD, Rp1 = $0.00010 AUD.
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Indonesia
Below are sample international container shipping costs to Indonesia.
2. Indonesia Housing Costs
Indonesia is ranked as the third cheapest country in Asia and the cost of living in the country is cheaper than 87% of countries in the world. This makes housing costs very affordable.
Monthly Rental Prices in Indonesia
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: Rp2,000,000 – Rp8,000,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: Rp1,000,000 – Rp5,400,000
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: Rp4,500,000 – Rp20,000,000
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: Rp2,800,000 – Rp10,000,000
- Price per square metre to buy in City Centre: Rp15,000,000 – Rp50,000,000
- Price per square metre to buy outside City: Rp5,992,109 – Rp24,000,000
Indonesian Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Indonesia is compared with other cities around the globe.
United Kingdom is 238.22% more expensive
United States is 469.51% more expensive
Australia is 301.48% more expensive
Singapore is 716.95% more expensive
France is 188.63% more expensive
UAE is 310.18% more expensive
Spain is 142.02% more expensive
Source: NUMBEO
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Search the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: Expat, Shared Accommodation, Serumah, iroommates, and Jendela.
- Different areas – different prices. Prices in the cities are always higher than in rural areas no matter where you live in the world. Indonesia. The majority of the 350,000 expats who live and work in Indonesia live in Jakarta; mainly in Sudirman, Kuningan and Menteng. Have a look at the following sites for in depth information on the best areas to live in Indonesian: William Russell, Indonesia Expat and Expat Arrivals.
3. Indonesia Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Indonesia is a mix of many cultures. The tourist areas, such as Bali and Jakarta, cater for the tastes of visitors and residents from around the world. The smaller islands and those areas that are not frequented by foreigners tend to concentrate on traditional foods. Eating out is affordable compared with most countries and food is reasonably prices.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: Rp15,000 – Rp50,000
- Domestic beer: Rp20,000 – Rp65,000
- Coke/Pepsi: Rp5,000 – Rp20,000
- 1L of milk: Rp15,000 – Rp25,000
- Loaf of Bread: Rp12,000 – Rp32,000
- 12 Eggs: Rp14,400 – Rp33,600
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: Rp25,000 – Rp75,000
- 1kg Beef: Rp80,000 – Rp160,000
- 1kg Apples: Rp18,500 – Rp60,000
- 1kg White Rice: Rp10,000 – Rp15,000
Source: NUMBEO
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other cities across the world.
- UK restaurants are 270.22% more expensive and groceries are 30.40% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- United States restaurants are 319.03% more expensive and groceries are 109.79% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- Australia restaurants are 267.54% more expensive and groceries are 97.49% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- Singapore restaurants are 237.25% more expensive and groceries are 100.26% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- French restaurants are 279.97% more expensive and groceries are 76.08% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- UAE restaurants are 288.39% more expensive and groceries are 39.96% more expensive than in Indonesia.
- Spanish restaurants are 191.52% more expensive and groceries are 10.31% more expensive than in Indonesia.
Source: NUMBEO
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Restaurants, Food, and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Indonesia has a variety of supermarket chains, plus many independent grocers. Markets are the places to pick up excellent quality food at affordable prices, try Mayestik Market, Alley of Pasar Baru, Poncol Market, Jalan Surabaya Flea market, etc. Search for cheaper markets through Holify. The main supermarket chains in Indonesia are Carrefour, Super Indo and Alfamart
- Find Cheap Eats: Fine dining restaurants in Jakarta can be expensive but, even the most expensive restaurants offer affordable food on quiet days. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration: Wanderlog, Zomato, Coconuts, Flokq, Trip Advisor and LBSB World.
4. Indonesia Alcohol Costs
Drinking is a popular pastime in Indonesia. The relaxed, outdoor lifestyle lends itself to sitting, having a cocktail and watching the world go by.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: Rp35,000 – Rp100,000
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: Rp20,000 – Rp65,000
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: Rp20,000 – Rp50,000
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: Rp30,000 – Rp70,000
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: Rp100,000 – Rp500,000
Source: NUMBEO
How to drink for less in Indonesia
- Local newspapers and flayers can help to find shops in supermarkets, bars, and pubs that offer drinks at a cheaper price.
- Keep an eye on the locals. They know where to find happy hours in bars and restaurants. You can also search them in Jakarta100bars, Local Drinks of Bali, Rough Guides and All Indonesia Tourism
5. Indonesia Transportation Fares
Indonesia’s public transport system is well developed on the main islands. The major roads and highways in the major hubs are excellent and well maintained. As the country is made up of a series of islands, boats and ferries obviously play a big part in the transport system within the country. Rail travel is also used extensively, with the rail network being expanded every year. Jakarta has a great underground/tube system which is perfect for commuting within the city.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport) – Rp3,500.00 – Rp10,000
- Monthly Pass – Rp100,000 – Rp300,000
- Taxi start (normal tariff) – Rp6,6,500 – Rp15,000
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff) – Rp4,100 – Rp10,000
Source: NUMBEO
How to save money on public transport
- Book your tickets well in advance
- Buy season tickets if you’re living in a large city such as Jakarta
- You can take advantages of ride-hailing services. Download apps like Uber, Grab, Go-Jek, etc.
6. Cost of Internet in Indonesia
Indonesia has become one of the biggest smartphone markets in Asia along with India and China. Wi-fi and wi-fi availability is improving rapidly, making it a widely popular destination for digital nomads.
- Starlink SpaceX – Rp1,514,117.49/Mo for 200 Mbit/s
- IndiHome Triple Play– Rp473,975.32/Mo for 292.97 Mbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Indonesia has an equatorial climate, making it humid and hot all year round. The average temperature ranges from a minimum of 22.8C and a maximum of 30.2C. There are two monsoon seasons – the northwest monsoon season is from December to March and the southeast monsoon season is from June to September. The archipelago experiences an average annual rainfall of between 3,000mm and 4,000mm.
Below are the clothing prices along with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: Rp200,000 – Rp1,000,000
- Summer Dress: Rp200,000 – Rp650,000
- Running Shoes (Trainers): Rp550.000 – Rp1,500,000
- Business Shoes: Rp400,00.00 – Rp1,700,000
- Gym membership: Rp200,000 – Rp750,000
- Movie (cinema) ticket: Rp35,000 – Rp75,000
Source: NUMBEO
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Indonesia
Importing a new car in Indonesia is expensive as customs duty is around 300%. Note that importing used cars in illegal. You need to carry the STNK document along with you wherever you go. Failure to do so results in a fine.
Buying used cars is popular in Indonesia but you must be careful that you are not buying a stolen car. So, ask for the document from the owner and verify the documents with the police before you buy the car. Sadly, it’s a common problem.
You cannot drive on a foreign licence in Indonesia, you need an International Driving Licence or an Indonesian licence. Have a look at the following site for detailed information on buying a car and driving in Indonesia – Exat.or.id.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Indonesia:
- Volkswagen Golf:Rp350,000,000 – Rp600,000,000
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):Rp9,000.00 -Rp12,892.00
- Other fees (if any):Cars below the selling price of Rp200 million attract 3% tax along with another 10% for title and registration fees. For a driving licence costs Rp100,000 and a renewal Rp75,000 along with a medical fee of Rp25,000.
Ways to save money driving in Indonesia
- Car sharing or pooling is a good option to save money. Try Expat, Tavelweekly, Jakartaglobe, etc.
- Travelling by taxi is a good idea if you are travelling for a short distance and saves on parking fees. Uber does not exist in Indonesia, so try Mashable, Indonesia Investment, Welcomepickups, and apps like Elluminatiinc for booking the taxi in Indonesia.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Indonesia? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Indonesia
Non-residents pay a flat rate 20% tax on their Indonesia source of income. Learn more about income tax in Indonesia from Taxsummeries.
VAT (sales tax) rates in Indonesia varies from between 5% and 15% depending on individual goods and services. Tax is not always included in the price shown, especially in hotels and restaurants. Learn more about VAT in Indonesia through the Website of Avalara.
If you are planning to buy a house or a piece of land, you’ll be liable for an annual property tax of a maximum of 0.3% of the market value of the property as determined by the regional government of Indonesia. Learn more about property tax through Tax Summaries.
10. Flight Costs from Indonesia
If you do make the move to Indonesia, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2017:
- London: Rp8,342,500
- Paris: Rp12,366,900
- New York: Rp10,307,255
- Los Angeles: Rp10,309,863
- Dubai: Rp9,165,199
- Sydney: Rp15,771,486
- Melbourne: Rp15,936,939
- Cape Town: Rp17,039,900
- Hong Kong: Rp3,541,000
Other Indonesia Relocation Tips
You will have got an idea about the cost of living in Indonesia from the above costs and pricing. However, the extra tips below may make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Indonesia Alone
Moving alone, especially to a foreign country is always a daunting task. But, Indonesia is so welcoming to overseas visitors and expats, you’ll settle quickly. Here are a few tips about settling in Indonesia.
- Meetups:Connect with groups through Meetup and enjoy a wide range of activities on offer in Indonesia.
- Attend local events: Indonesians are friendly people and enjoy sharing social and cultural events with tourists and expats alike. Search for local events through 10Times, 18 Festivals in Indonesia, Events and Festivals, Events Archive, Holidays and Festivals, etc.
12. Moving to Indonesia with a Family
Moving with a family cannot be challenging but the Indonesians love of children will soon make you feel at home. Indonesia has so much for families to enjoy. Here are a few tips about settling in Indonesia.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Check out Jakarta Mum’s Support Group and Balipod for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Staying in a family-friendly locality can ensure many advantages for your family. It is also safer for the family, especially for the kids. Here are a few websites to get inspiration while searching for a family-friendly area in Indonesia – Life from a Bag, Bali Property Direct, Little Steps Asia, etc.
- Find things to do with the kids:Indonesia has lots for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – TripAdvisor, Edarabia, Inspirock, and Kids Love Travel.
13. Moving to Indonesia for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Indonesia’s unemployment rate is high, especially after the COVID pandemic. There are openings for teachers, IT specialists, engineers, hospitality professionals, including chefs, construction engineers and other high profile careers. So, if you are planning to move to Indonesia for work, consider the following.
- Salary:Salaries for expats are high. That, coupled with the low cost of living, makes it an attractive destination for expats. Find detailed information on salaries for your profession through Salary Explorer and PayLab.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Indonesia, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Glassdoor, com, Internations, Visa Hunterand Job and Work Asia. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Indonesia from Australia
Indonesia has a good bilateral relationship with Australia. They assist each other in matters of strategic policies, national security as well as economic and other development issues.
- Size comparison:Australia is 4.1 times bigger than Indonesia. However, Australia has a much smaller population than Indonesia. The population of Indonesia is 276,362,000 whereas Australian population is 25,739,000.
- Join expat groups: Connect with fellow Australians in Indonesia through Meetup, Internations, and Facebook.
15. Moving to Indonesia from Canada
There is a sizable Canadian population living and working in Indonesia, mainly Jakarta. There’s also a number of retirees living and enjoying life in Bali.
- Size:Canada is five times bigger than Indonesia. However, Indonesia’s population is substantially larger. It’s 276,362,000 compared with Canada’s 38,246, 3000 people.
- Expat groups:Join fellow Canadians through sites such as Meetup and Internations.
16. Moving to Indonesia from the United Kingdom
Around 4,000 people from the UK live in Indonesia, below are a few tips if you want to connect with fellow Brits in Indonesia.
- Size: Indonesia is 8 times the size of the UK and its population is four times the size.
- Expat groups:connect with fellow Brits through Meetup, Internations, and Facebook.
Hopefully, the above tips and costs are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Indonesia you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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