Philippines vs Indonesia
Indonesia costs roughly 17% less than Philippines, though Philippines has significantly faster internet infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Indonesia is approximately 17% less expensive than Philippines based on cost of living including rent. This makes Indonesia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Indonesia has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 54, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Indonesia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,147/mo
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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.
$2,259/mo
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Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Philippines | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 96.9 | 102.4 +5.5 |
| Healthcare Index | 67.3 +6.4 | 60.9 |
| Safety Index | 56.9 +2.9 | 54 |
| Cost of Living Index | 28.8 | 24.6 +4.2 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $520.8 | $429.7 +91.1 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,854 | $1,529 +325 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $332.57 | $311.05 +21.52 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $186.21 | $177.94 +8.27 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $663.94 +171.64 | $835.58 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $362.86 +117.03 | $479.89 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 187.25 Mbps +112.4 | 74.88 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Indonesia. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Indonesia. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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