Jakarta vs Zhaoyuan
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Jakarta is approximately 117% less expensive than Zhaoyuan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Jakarta a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Jakarta has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 63.19, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Jakarta is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowIndonesia
Jakarta
China
Zhaoyuan
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Jakarta
Jakarta is a bargain for anyone earning in dollars, with city center one-bedroom rent at $214/mo and a monthly public transport pass for $9/mo, though the $222/mo average local net salary shows how brutally the math splits between expats and residents. The air quality index of 115 and limited English proficiency are real costs, and the $2,000/mo income floor on both the retirement and remote worker visas prices out the budget crowd. Come for the large, active expat community in Kemang, Kuningan, and Senopati, and the $1 restaurant meals; stay only if you can tolerate the heat, the haze, and the traffic. It is a high-reward, high-annoyance city that rewards patience and a remote paycheck.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
Jakarta costs roughly 78% less than Zhaoyuan. Zhaoyuan scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Jakarta is approximately 117% less expensive than Zhaoyuan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Jakarta a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Jakarta has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 63.19, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Jakarta is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Jakarta
Jakarta is a bargain for anyone earning in dollars, with city center one-bedroom rent at $214/mo and a monthly public transport pass for $9/mo, though the $222/mo average local net salary shows how brutally the math splits between expats and residents. The air quality index of 115 and limited English proficiency are real costs, and the $2,000/mo income floor on both the retirement and remote worker visas prices out the budget crowd. Come for the large, active expat community in Kemang, Kuningan, and Senopati, and the $1 restaurant meals; stay only if you can tolerate the heat, the haze, and the traffic. It is a high-reward, high-annoyance city that rewards patience and a remote paycheck.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,642/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Zhaoyuan
Zhaoyuan is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom city centre flat at $410/mo and a single adult budget tier of $950/mo, but the trade-offs are real. Air quality sits at 80, English proficiency is limited, and the expat community is small, so daily life will not be effortless. The 80/100 overall expat score and 82/100 FIRE score make it a strong fit for savers and remote workers who value low costs over convenience. Retirees and digital nomads should look elsewhere, given the 61/100 and 63/100 scores.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$1,400/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Jakarta | Zhaoyuan |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $188.86 | $410 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $130.26 | $300 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $422.32 | $780 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $159.42 | $550 |
| Safety Index | 63.19 | 72 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 56.2Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Jakarta | Zhaoyuan |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $357/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $227/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $130/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $83.00/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $11.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $36.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $88.00/mo | N/A |
| Transport | $9.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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