City Comparison

Gothenburg vs Jakarta

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Jakarta is ~42% cheaper overall

Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026

Gothenburg

Sweden

COL+Rent

37

Rent Index

18.5

Groceries

47.7

Restaurant

45

Jakarta

Indonesia

COL+Rent

21.6

Rent Index

12.3

Groceries

39.6

Restaurant

18.8

Monthly Cost Comparison

CategoryGothenburgJakartaDiff
Rent (1BR City)$819$459+$360
Rent (1BR Outside)$644$311+$333
Groceries$271$218+$53
Restaurant Meal$14$4+$10
Transit Pass$75$13+$62
Utilities$82$50+$32

Monthly Budget Comparison

LifestyleGothenburgJakarta
Minimal$1,047/mo$543/mo
Typical$1,457/mo$800/mo
Comfortable$1,844/mo$972/mo

Purchasing Power Equivalence

Budget in Gothenburg≈ in JakartaDifference
$1,500/mo$876/mo-$624
$2,000/mo$1,168/mo-$832
$3,000/mo$1,751/mo-$1,249

Detailed Budget Analysis

See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:

Analysis: Gothenburg vs Jakarta for Expats & Remote Workers

Our data shows Jakarta is approximately 42% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Jakarta's 21.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.

Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $459/month in Jakartagiving Jakarta a $360/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,320 in annual savings.

Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Jakarta ($218/mo) reflect Jakarta's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $4 show Jakarta offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.

Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Jakarta offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $800 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gothenburg or Jakarta cheaper to live in?
Jakarta is approximately 42% cheaper overall. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index is 37 vs Jakarta's 21.6 (NYC = 100).
How much is rent in Gothenburg vs Jakarta?
A 1BR in Gothenburg city center costs ~$819/mo vs $459/mo in Jakarta. Outside the center: $644 vs $311.
What is $2,000/month in Gothenburg worth in Jakarta?
Using cost-of-living adjustment, $2,000/month in Gothenburg has the purchasing power of approximately $1,168/month in Jakarta.
Are groceries cheaper in Gothenburg or Jakarta?
Monthly groceries cost approximately $271 in Gothenburg vs $218 in Jakarta. Groceries Index: 47.7 vs 39.6 (NYC = 100).