Cost of Living: Indonesia vs India
Indonesia and India have broadly similar costs of living. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Indonesia ≈ India
Both countries sit within 2% of each other on the combined COL+Rent index, so the day-to-day cost difference is minimal. Choice comes down to lifestyle preferences, taxes, and career factors.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Indonesia | India | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $477 | $307 | India 55% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $632 | $497 | India 27% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $713 | $574 | India 24% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Indonesia | India |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $340 | $280 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $230 | $165 |
Groceries (monthly) | $185 | $95 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $3 | $5 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $12 | $12 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $50 | $35 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Indonesia and India to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Indonesia | Needed in India |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $16,430 | $16,163 |
| $75,000/yr | $24,645 | $24,245 |
| $100,000/yr | $32,860 | $32,327 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Indonesia
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Indonesia only.
Cost of Living in India
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for India only.
Indonesia vs India Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Indonesia
Net take-home pay calculator for Indonesia.
Salary After Tax in India
Net take-home pay calculator for India.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Indonesia vs India
Is Indonesia cheaper than India?
Indonesia is 2% more expensive than India. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 18.5 for Indonesia vs 18.2 for India. In practical terms, a $497/month lifestyle in India can be matched for roughly $505/month in Indonesia.
What is the monthly budget difference between Indonesia and India?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $632 in Indonesia versus $497 in India — a difference of $135/month (27%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $713 vs $574.
How does rent compare in Indonesia vs India?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $340/month in Indonesia and $280/month in India. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $230 in Indonesia and $165 in India. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Indonesia to India?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Indonesia, you'd need roughly $73,784 net in India to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from India to Indonesia on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $76,236 net in Indonesia. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $185 in Indonesia vs $95 in India. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $3 in Indonesia vs $5 in India. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.