Home to 10.5 million people and the largest Muslim population in the world, Jakarta, Indonesia, is a hub of international business. It boasts towering skyscrapers and close-knit neighborhoods, and with its welcoming people, it’s easy for expats to adjust to their new lives. Embrace the opportunity to learn about Jakarta’s history and customs as soon as you touch down by exploring the city’s markets, shopping centers, and nightlife.
On average, it costs at least $737 for a single person per month to get by in Jakarta, which is just under $9,000 per year. With a family, your expenses can add up to around $2,000 a month, and each of these figures depends on how many people come with you, the neighborhood you choose, and the lifestyle you want.
Rent in Jakarta: From High Rises to Studios
The cost of rent in Jakarta is 78% lower than in Seattle. Without factoring in rent, Seattle’s overall cost of living is 65% higher, making Jakarta a much more affordable place to live — even in its priciest neighborhoods. You can find a studio apartment for around $700 per month in the city center. If you’re willing to expand your search and sacrifice a few conveniences, you can get one for almost half that.
Central Jakarta is the most expensive place to live, so for expats on a budget, it’s a good idea to look outside this business hub. A three-bedroom apartment in the city center will likely cost around $1,200 per month, but in the suburbs, you can find them for $650. The easiest way to lower your costs, especially if you’re moving to Indonesia by yourself, is to get a roommate. You can find available apartments and people looking for roommates in Jakarta on iRoommates, Erasmusu, and even Facebook groups.
Most expats opt to rent apartments in Jakarta, but they aren’t the only option for long-term living. Boarding houses cost less, though the prices vary more widely. You might also have less access to shops, markets, and entertainment.
For the most part, Perusahaan Listrik Negara provides electricity for Jakarta residents, and it posts its quarterly costs on its website. In a 900-square-foot apartment, you’ll likely pay around $80 a month for utilities. Internet alone can amount to $30 per month, and as a necessary expense for most expats, you’ll want to factor that in.
Take a Tour of the Neighborhood
Jakarta’s diversity means you have the choice of just about any style of living you want. Kemang offers a suburban balance of access to amenities and quiet living. A family home can cost $2,000 per month, but you can find smaller apartments for much less.
Because many expats move to Jakarta for work, Kuningan — the city’s Central Business District — is a popular location. It’s home to high-rise apartments, easy access to international schools, large shopping centers, and cuisine of all kinds. Kuningan is more expensive than Kemang at $3,500 rental fees for a family home, but again, you can find studio apartments for as little as $350 per month.
Senayan offers access to the business district, making it ideal for professional expats, though it’s also one of the most expensive areas. For active expats, Pondok Indah is worth a look for its access to family fun at Houbii Urban Adventure Park, golf courses, and shopping centers. Homes near the golf course tend to get pricey, though, so search farther from those areas for more affordable living.
Budgeting for Food
Jakarta is a melting pot of cuisine, combining Western flavors from Europe with Southeast Asian dishes. Indonesian cooking uses spices masterfully, and whether you eat out or cook at home, it’s worth exploring as many foods as you can.
Most basic food items are affordable in Jakarta, and you can get a liter of milk and a dozen eggs for about $1.50 each. As an Indonesian pantry staple, rice costs less than $1 per kilogram, even for high-quality grains. Vegan expats may have lower food costs, and local produce is also much cheaper than imported fruits and vegetables. You can find plenty of it at Jakarta Fruit Market locations.
While cooking at home saves money, eating out can save time and stress. Street food in the Banjir Kanal Timur Area costs less than $3, and you can eat at a canteen for under $5. Mid-range restaurants cost a little more, but even at high-end places, like Sana Sini Restaurant, you can get a meal for $20.
Get a Taste of Jakarta
Local foods are amazing in Jakarta. You can spend less than a dollar for a great meal on a side road stall or food cart or as much as a couple of hundred dollars at a fancy posh 5 star hotel and anything in-between.
Side note: You know those carts on the side of the street? They’re called ‘kaki lima,’ which means ‘five feet’ in English. These carts are everywhere, and they sell really yummy foods. You can find things like soto ayam, which is a kind of chicken soup from Indonesia, sate ayam, where they put chicken on sticks and cook it with a sweet sauce over a charcoal grill, and even a special Indonesian fried rice called nasi goreng.
Some national dishes that are served in Jakarta are Nasi Goreng, a fried rice dish with pickled vegetables and soy sauce, is Jakarta’s national dish, and you can make it at home with inexpensive ingredients. Soto makes for a hearty comfort soup with meat and vegetables, and it’s sometimes considered another of Indonesia’s national dishes.
Check out these cool links to recipes for some popular Indonesian dishes that will really make your taste buds happy:
- Indonesian Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce
- Nasi goreng, Indonesia’s version of fried rice, gets a sweet-savory profile from kecap manis and a big hit of umami from shrimp paste.
- Indonesian vegetable salad: Gado-gado
- Hearty Soto Ayam, an Indonesian soup
- Authentic Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles) Recipe and here at MIE GORENG JAVA (JAVANESE FRIED NOODLES) – Since I was born and raised in East Java, my taste buds prefer this latter version.
Chicken is much cheaper than red meat at around $3.50 per kilogram (at the time of this writing), and Indonesian food gives you plenty of ways to use it. Try making Satay, a grilled and skewered dish served with sauce, or put together some vegetable dishes, like Gado Gado to cut down on your grocery bill. You can find any of these dishes in Jakarta’s street markets, where you can get a full meal for under $3.
Navigating the City
Jakarta is known for its award-winning public transportation. It supports 2.6 million passengers daily and is easy to navigate. Buses are the cheapest way to travel in Jakarta, starting at $0.23 to ride within 25km. In comparison, gas costs almost four times that much per liter, making it more affordable for many expats to use the bus and Mass Rapid Transit.
The MRT opened in 2019, and right now, it only includes the North-South Line. This line spans 13 stops, with 10 more under construction and plans for East-West and Outer-Ring Lines. You can use the MRT starting at $0.20 to board and another $0.07 for every station you pass up to $0.92. The system sells tickets for $1 minimum, which you can buy online, so you’ll likely have funds for a few trips.
Taxis offer convenience, but the cost varies, and it’s not always reliable. Since there are no meters, you have to ask about the cost before you set off, or you may end up with a surprisingly high bill at the end of the ride. Most cost around $0.30 per kilometer.
If you want private transportation, you just need your KITAP or KITAS to prove you’re a temporary or permanent resident in Jakarta before buying a motorbike or a car. Renting a motorbike costs anywhere from $2.75 to $7 per day, and buying a popular model can set you back around $1,000. Cars are much more expensive at $10,000 to $20,000, and with Jakarta’s heavy traffic, it may not be practical to get one.
Put Your Child’s Education First
Jakarta has 62 international schools and here at the list of international schools in Jakarta, and almost all of them teach in English. Depending on where you want to send your child, look at different schools in the area before you move. Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cipete, and Bumi Serpong Damai all give you access to nearby international schools with plenty of apartment options.
Among the many international school choices, 28 have the International Baccalaureate. This diploma can help your child get into college abroad, as it’s recognized globally. And while you might feel tempted to send your child to public school, the curriculum likely won’t keep up with what your child has already learned. Plus, an international school can help kids settle in and make friends with other expat children faster.
That said, you’ll almost certainly pay more in a single year for international schooling than you would for rent. Jakarta Intercultural School has some of the best education, but it’s also the most expensive at $22,000 to $36,000 per year (2022 data). As a 1986 high school graduate of JIS (Jakarta International School), I can attest to the excellent education it offers. A side note: JIS was initially known as JES – Jakarta Embassy Schools. Around the mid to late 1970s, it was renamed JIS – Jakarta International School. Then, in the early 2020s, it became JIS – Jakarta Intercultural School, which is its name today.
A top international school, ACG School Jakarta offers a more balanced option. With around 20 students per class at $9,800 to $25,000 per year. You can find some lower-cost options, like New Zealand School Jakarta, that start around $3,500 per year too.
Childcare Culture in Indonesia
Many parents send their kids to daycare in Western cultures, but childcare outside the home is less common in Indonesia. Most Indonesian families have people who pitch in to care for children at home, making daycare unnecessary. Still, there are several options for expats with young kids.
TweeDe Daycare and Casa Dinda Daycare & Preschool both have high-quality, engaging daycare programs for expats on a budget. Daycare costs vary widely, but many facilities offer services starting at $20 and going up to $200 per month.
For some expats, their fur babies are just as important as kids. The care costs for pets vary even more widely than human care, but Animal Clinic Jakarta is a reputable, widely recommended veterinary practice. They do everything from veterinary care to grooming and boarding, giving you a safe place to leave your pet for some playtime.
Entertainment Night and Day
Jakarta’s nightlife never sleeps, especially if you live near the city center. Clubs and bars in the Sudirman Central Business District offer cocktails, and you can get into a club for $10 to $20. The Dragonfly Club has a global reputation among expats looking for a party scene, and the Colosseum Club draws a crowd with its out-of-this-world sound system. The downside? Nightclub cocktails can set you back $10 when you can find drinks at a bar for under $3.
For quieter fun, you can see a movie with a friend for under $10 per ticket. Front row seats at a live theater cost around $60, and you can pay even less if you don’t mind sitting farther from the stage.
Jakarta’s night markets create a whole new atmosphere outside its daytime shopping malls. The Kota Tua Night Market attracts tourists and expats with its Dutch influence and architecture, while the Pecenongan Night Market is a foodie heaven, boasting everything from local dishes to rooftop pool parties.
Don’t forget to attend Jakarta’s festivals! Some are free, like the Lunar New Year Festival, but the city is known for hosting events for business and the arts. The Food and Fashion Festival combines culinary craft with artistic clothing designs, while the Java Jazz Festival celebrates international musicians every year.
Have Fun With Fitness
Fun and fitness aren’t mutually exclusive in Jakarta. The Lapangan Tenis Taman Patra lets you rent a tennis court for around $3.50. Just make sure you book in advance since it’s a popular place for tennis players to have their meets. If you don’t mind venturing out of the city, Bemgra Indonesia Indoor Rock Climbing Gym has rock walls suited to all ages and skill levels.
For classic fitness buffs, Jakarta’s gym memberships average $40 per month. Fitness First makes for a good starter option with 10 locations, plenty of workout equipment, and memberships that start at $32. You can even get a free trial to see if you like it first. Empire Fit Club offers more premium, intense fitness resources with a nutrition program and personal trainer.
Low Stress on a Budget
Living in Jakarta as an expat on a budget gets easier as you learn how to shop like a local. The city’s versatility makes it ideal for everyone, from active entrepreneurs to families who want a cozy living space. While rent can take a bite out of your bank account, you can find plenty of free or cheap ways to enjoy your new life.
Don’t Forget to Travel Safely as an Expat!
It’s true that medical care is cheaper in most countries than here in the U.S. But that does not mean you should skip out of international health insurance when living on a budget in Brazil.
Other parts of the world are seeing higher medical care costs. Singapore is a great example of this. Costs can be even higher than the U.S in some medical centers.
But one thing expatriates forget is that the emergency medical flight, when needed, can be very expensive. Emergency medical evacuation can easily start at USD25,000. We have even seen it be as high as USD120,000. Especially when one needs a specialized plane to help stabilize one’s medical condition as they are flown to another country.
Since our founding in 1997, Good Neighbor Insurance has provided a variety of expatriate medical insurance options to fit one’s request and budget. And all of our expatriate medical insurance provides the vital emergency medical evacuation benefit!
Good Neighbor Insurance Global Brokerage also provides videos on how to best use your expatriate insurance with answers that our clients over the course of our founding back in 1997 has asked us over the years. You may find some of our great expat insurance videos here.
