Cost of Living: Indonesia vs Philippines
Indonesia is 8% cheaper than Philippines overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Indonesia wins on affordability
Indonesia is roughly 8% cheaper than Philippines on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $44 per month, or about $528 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Indonesia | Philippines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $477 | $496 | Indonesia 4% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $632 | $676 | Indonesia 7% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $713 | $786 | Indonesia 9% 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 | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $340 | $295 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $230 | $190 |
Groceries (monthly) | $185 | $205 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $3 | $5 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $12 | $11 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $50 | $90 |
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 Philippines to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Indonesia | Needed in Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $16,430 | $17,940 |
| $75,000/yr | $24,645 | $26,909 |
| $100,000/yr | $32,860 | $35,879 |
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 Philippines
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Philippines only.
Indonesia vs Philippines 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 Philippines
Net take-home pay calculator for Philippines.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Indonesia vs Philippines
Is Indonesia cheaper than Philippines?
Indonesia is 8% cheaper than Philippines. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 18.5 for Indonesia vs 20.2 for Philippines. In practical terms, a $676/month lifestyle in Philippines can be matched for roughly $619/month in Indonesia.
What is the monthly budget difference between Indonesia and Philippines?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $632 in Indonesia versus $676 in Philippines — a difference of $44/month (7%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $713 vs $786.
How does rent compare in Indonesia vs Philippines?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $340/month in Indonesia and $295/month in Philippines. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $230 in Indonesia and $190 in Philippines. 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 Philippines?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Indonesia, you'd need roughly $81,892 net in Philippines to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Philippines to Indonesia on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $68,688 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 $205 in Philippines. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $3 in Indonesia vs $5 in Philippines. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.