Jakarta vs Bengkulu Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Bengkulu leads on CPI (17 vs 25.3, NYC=100), Bengkulu leads on rent index, and Jakarta leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Bengkulu
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Housing (65% gap, Bengkulu ahead); Utilities (65% gap, Bengkulu ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $375 lower in Bengkulu than in Jakarta (~64% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $375 (favoring Bengkulu).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Bengkulu | CPI 17 vs 25.3 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Bengkulu | Rent index 5.3 vs 15.3 (lower is better) |
| Food | Bengkulu | Groceries index 24.9 vs 34.6 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Bengkulu | One-way ticket 4207.03 vs 7137.77 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Bengkulu | Utilities (85m²) 172780 vs 498780 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Bengkulu | Internet 282968 vs 369684 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Bengkulu | Restaurant index 12 vs 20 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Jakarta | Avg net salary 39615520 vs 19605640 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Jakarta | PP index 39.2 vs 19.4 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Housing: Bengkulu leads with a 65% gap.
Rent index 5.3 vs 15.3 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Bengkulu — Lower housing / rent index (65% gap).
- Families: Bengkulu — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Bengkulu; purchasing power favors Jakarta.
- Remote Workers: Bengkulu — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Bengkulu (~33% gap).
- Budget Living: Bengkulu — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Bengkulu is the overall cost winner on CPI (~33% lower everyday-cost index than Jakarta).
- Housing: Bengkulu leads on rent index (65% gap).
- Food / groceries: Bengkulu is lower (28% gap).
- Purchasing power: Jakarta scores higher (51% gap).
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$375 cheaper in Bengkulu.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 25.3/17, rent 15.3/5.3, purchasing power 39.2/19.4. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Regional
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Regional.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.