Sydney vs Jakarta
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jakarta is ~69% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Jakarta
Indonesia
COL+Rent
21.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
18.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Jakarta | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $459 | +$1,983 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $311 | +$1,511 |
| Groceries | $483 | $218 | +$265 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $4 | +$21 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $13 | +$101 |
| Utilities | $171 | $50 | +$121 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Jakarta |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $543/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $800/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $972/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Jakarta | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $465/mo | -$1,035 |
| $2,000/mo | $620/mo | -$1,380 |
| $3,000/mo | $930/mo | -$2,070 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Jakarta for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jakarta is approximately 69% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Jakarta's 21.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $459/month in Jakarta — giving Jakarta a $1,983/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $23,796 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Jakarta ($218/mo) reflect Jakarta's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.