Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Canggu vs Semarang

Canggu vs Semarang

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Semarang 58% cheaper Moderate / Moderate

Canggu

Josh Withers/Unsplash

Semarang

Supri Yanto/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$1,975

Canggu

$825

Semarang

Internet

Mbps

Safety

Moderate

Canggu

Moderate

Semarang

Air Quality

4/5

Canggu

5/5

Semarang

Healthcare

High

Canggu

Moderate

Semarang

Population

30.0k

Canggu

1.6m

Semarang

Canggu 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

The monthly savings are substantial — Semarang at $825/mo costs 58% less than Canggu at $1975/mo, adding up to $13800 over a year.

For families, Canggu costs $5795.445700032037/mo compared to Semarang's $1605.588646314858/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

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

Quality of Life

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

Canggu offers better healthcare infrastructure than Semarang — an important consideration for longer stays.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Canggu is July (around 31 degrees, 1mm rain, score 328), 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

CangguSemarang

Nomad$1,975/mo$825/mo

Expat$2,045/mo$603/mo

Local$1,656/mo$459/mo

Family$5,795/mo$1,606/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

CangguSemarang

City Speed

32 Mbps

Country Speed32 Mbps32 Mbps

Environment & Health

CangguSemarang

Air Quality Score4/55/5

PollutionHighModerate

ClimateModerateModerate

Humidity8188

Quality of Life

CangguSemarang

SafetyModerateModerate

HealthcareHighModerate

Monthly Weather Comparison

Canggu

Semarang

Jan

37°

3mm297

34°

8mm237

Feb

38°

8mm226

35°

5mm222

Mar

38°

6mm287

36°

6mm253

Apr

36°

6mm172

37°

5mm319

May

34°

2mm195

37°

1mm373

Jun

33°

2mm226

36°

1mm368

Jul

31°

1mm328

35°

0mm397

Aug

32°

1mm318

36°

0mm397

Sep

35°

1mm307

36°

0mm397

Oct

36°

1mm297

37°

0mm382

Nov

38°

4mm292

36°

7mm319

Dec

35°

11mm133

34°

15mm207

Who Should Choose Canggu?

Clean air with a 4/5 air quality score
Smaller city feel with 30.0k residents
Peak season in July — 31 degrees, score 328

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

The data favors Semarang as the more well-rounded choice. At $825/mo versus Canggu's $1975/mo, that is a 58% saving that adds up significantly on an extended stay.

Granular Price Comparison

Canggu Semarang

ItemCangguSemarangDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant—$1.3

—

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

—

McMeal or equivalent combo—$3.24

—

Cappuccino (regular)—$1.34

—

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)—$2.48

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)—$2.59

—

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)—$0.42

—

Water (0.33L)—$0.2

—

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)—$1.13

—

White bread (500g)—$0.97

—

White rice (1kg)—$0.81

—

Eggs (12)—$1.29

—

Chicken fillets (1kg)—$2.96

—

Beef round (1kg)—$7.24

—

Local cheese (1kg)—$6.15

—

Apples (1kg)—$2.3

—

Bananas (1kg)—$1.3

—

Oranges (1kg)—$1.15

—

Tomatoes (1kg)—$0.86

—

Potatoes (1kg)—$1.15

—

Onions (1kg)—$1.38

—

Lettuce (1 head)—$0.55

—

Water (1.5L bottle)—$0.36

—

Wine, mid-range bottle—$12.15

—

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)—$2.03

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)—$2.98

—

Cigarettes (pack of 20)—$1.94

—

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket—$0.23

—

Monthly transport pass—$18.18

—

Taxi start (normal tariff)—$0.58

—

Taxi per 1km—$0.32

—

Taxi 1hr waiting—$2.11

—

Gasoline (1L)—$0.79

—

Volkswagen Golf (new)—$23,334.86

—

Toyota Corolla (new)—$27,914.38

—

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo—$40.19

—

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo—$28.38

—

Mobile prepaid per minute—$0.1

—

🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items

Fitness club, monthly—$29.17

—

Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)—$12.15

—

Cinema, 1 ticket—$3.24

—

👶Childcare2 items

Preschool, full-day private/mo—$75.62

—

International primary school/yr—$6,009.65

—

👗Clothing4 items

Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)—$32.39

—

Summer dress (chain store)—$22.69

—

Nike running shoes (mid-range)—$64.82

—

Men's leather business shoes—$37.81

—

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre—$259.28

—

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre—$194.46

—

3-bedroom apartment, city centre—$680.6

—

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre—$550.96

—

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre—$1,215.36

—

Price per m², outside centre—$378.11

—

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary—$269

—

Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)—$8.69

—

Lower is better for all cost items.

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

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