Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Bandung vs Semarang

Bandung vs Semarang

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Semarang 12% cheaper Moderate / Moderate

Bandung

Dwinanda Nurhanif Mujito/Unsplash

Semarang

Supri Yanto/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$936

Bandung

$825

Semarang

Internet

Mbps

Safety

Moderate

Bandung

Moderate

Semarang

Air Quality

5/5

Bandung

5/5

Semarang

Healthcare

Moderate

Bandung

Moderate

Semarang

Population

2.4m

Bandung

1.6m

Semarang

Bandung and Semarang are both in Indonesia, making this one of the most common comparisons for digital nomads planning a base in the region. This guide breaks down the key differences across cost, internet, safety, weather, and quality of life.

Cost of Living

Semarang edges ahead on affordability at $825/mo versus Bandung's $936/mo, a 12% difference worth considering for budget-focused nomads.

For families, Bandung costs $1181.524847056311/mo compared to Semarang's $1605.588646314858/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Internet speeds are nearly identical — Bandung at 32 Mbps and Semarang at 32 Mbps. Both handle video calls and uploads well.

Quality of Life

Both Bandung and Semarang share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Bandung and Semarang.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Bandung is July (around 30 degrees, 0mm rain, score 429), while Semarang peaks in July (35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 397). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

BandungSemarang

Nomad$936/mo$825/mo

Expat$625/mo$603/mo

Local$338/mo$459/mo

Family$1,182/mo$1,606/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

BandungSemarang

City Speed

32 Mbps

Country Speed32 Mbps32 Mbps

Environment & Health

BandungSemarang

Air Quality Score5/55/5

PollutionHighModerate

ClimateHighModerate

Humidity8788

Quality of Life

BandungSemarang

SafetyModerateModerate

HealthcareModerateModerate

Monthly Weather Comparison

Bandung

Semarang

Jan

31°

3mm249

34°

8mm237

Feb

32°

7mm326

35°

5mm222

Mar

32°

5mm326

36°

6mm253

Apr

33°

9mm346

37°

5mm319

May

32°

1mm405

37°

1mm373

Jun

31°

1mm377

36°

1mm368

Jul

30°

0mm429

35°

0mm397

Aug

32°

0mm429

36°

0mm397

Sep

32°

0mm429

36°

0mm397

Oct

34°

0mm405

37°

0mm382

Nov

33°

9mm326

36°

7mm319

Dec

30°

6mm265

34°

15mm207

Who Should Choose Bandung?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $936
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $1181.524847056311/mo for families
Major city energy with 2.4m residents
Peak season in July — 30 degrees, score 429

Who Should Choose Semarang?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $825
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $1605.588646314858/mo for families
Peak season in July — 35 degrees, score 397

Overall Verdict

Overall, Semarang edges ahead for most digital nomads — at $825/mo it runs 12% cheaper than Bandung's $936/mo, with 32 Mbps internet for reliable remote work.

Granular Price Comparison

Bandung Semarang

ItemBandungSemarangDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.3$1.3

Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$11.34$9.72

14%

McMeal or equivalent combo$3.24$3.24

Cappuccino (regular)$1.83$1.34

27%

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.59$2.48

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$4$2.59

35%

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.59$0.42

29%

Water (0.33L)$0.31$0.2

35%

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)$1.11$1.13

White bread (500g)$0.93$0.97

White rice (1kg)$0.81$0.81

Eggs (12)$1.5$1.29

14%

Chicken fillets (1kg)$2.84$2.96

Beef round (1kg)$8.43$7.24

14%

Local cheese (1kg)$8.59$6.15

28%

Apples (1kg)$2.06$2.3

10%

Bananas (1kg)$1.27$1.3

Oranges (1kg)$1.17$1.15

Tomatoes (1kg)$1.03$0.86

17%

Potatoes (1kg)$1.06$1.15

Onions (1kg)$1.83$1.38

25%

Lettuce (1 head)$1.02$0.55

46%

Water (1.5L bottle)$0.43$0.36

16%

Wine, mid-range bottle$19.45$12.15

38%

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$2.16$2.03

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.48$2.98

14%

Cigarettes (pack of 20)$2.25$1.94

14%

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket$0.58$0.23

60%

Monthly transport pass$14.09$18.18

22%

Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.97$0.58

40%

Taxi per 1km$0.45$0.32

29%

Taxi 1hr waiting$3.24$2.11

35%

Gasoline (1L)$0.8$0.79

Volkswagen Golf (new)$32,409.53$23,334.86

28%

Toyota Corolla (new)$24,503.77$27,914.38

12%

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$34.32$40.19

15%

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$36.58$28.38

22%

Mobile prepaid per minute$0.16$0.1

38%

🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items

Fitness club, monthly$23.24$29.17

20%

Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$8.91$12.15

27%

Cinema, 1 ticket$3.24$3.24

👶Childcare2 items

Preschool, full-day private/mo$71.84$75.62

International primary school/yr$5,190.41$6,009.65

14%

👗Clothing4 items

Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$36.73$32.39

12%

Summer dress (chain store)$23.05$22.69

Nike running shoes (mid-range)$56.49$64.82

13%

Men's leather business shoes$61.58$37.81

39%

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre$206.34$259.28

20%

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$140.58$194.46

28%

3-bedroom apartment, city centre$429.43$680.6

37%

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$294.93$550.96

46%

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre$1,143.43$1,215.36

Price per m², outside centre$577.97$378.11

35%

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary$291.36$269

Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$10.4$8.69

16%

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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