Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Makassar vs Malang

Makassar vs Malang

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Makassar 6% cheaper N/A / Moderate
Nomad Cost

$839

Makassar

$896

Malang

Internet

32

Mbps

32

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Makassar

Moderate

Malang

Air Quality

5/5

Makassar

5/5

Malang

Healthcare

N/A

Makassar

Low

Malang

Population

1.3m

Makassar

820.2k

Malang

Makassar and Malang 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

Makassar edges ahead on affordability at $839/mo compared to Malang's $896/mo — a 6% gap that matters over time.

For families, Makassar costs $1800.101453918562/mo compared to Malang's $1592.53701160999/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

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

Quality of Life

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

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Makassar and Malang.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Makassar is August (around 35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 374), while Malang peaks in July (29 degrees, 0mm rain, score 420). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

MakassarMalang
Nomad$839/mo$896/mo
Expat$683/mo$695/mo
Local$514/mo$455/mo
Family$1,800/mo$1,593/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

MakassarMalang
City Speed
32 Mbps
32 Mbps
Country Speed32 Mbps32 Mbps

Environment & Health

MakassarMalang
Air Quality Score5/55/5
PollutionN/AModerate
ClimateN/AModerate
Humidity8589

Quality of Life

MakassarMalang
SafetyN/AModerate
HealthcareN/ALow

Monthly Weather Comparison

Makassar
Malang
Jan
36°
11mm87
32°
5mm256
Feb
37°
4mm210
33°
8mm317
Mar
37°
6mm179
32°
13mm225
Apr
38°
3mm282
32°
2mm348
May
38°
1mm346
32°
1mm391
Jun
36°
1mm348
30°
0mm405
Jul
35°
0mm372
29°
0mm420
Aug
35°
0mm374
30°
0mm420
Sep
37°
0mm354
32°
0mm396
Oct
37°
1mm330
32°
1mm391
Nov
37°
6mm271
32°
2mm343
Dec
33°
16mm41
32°
16mm194

Who Should Choose Makassar?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $839
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1800.101453918562/mo for families
  • Peak season in August — 35 degrees, score 374

Who Should Choose Malang?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $896
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1592.53701160999/mo for families
  • Peak season in July — 29 degrees, score 420

Overall Verdict

The data favors Malang as the more well-rounded choice. At $896/mo versus Makassar's $839/mo, that is a 6% saving that adds up significantly on an extended stay.

Granular Price Comparison

Makassar Malang
ItemMakassarMalangDiff
🍽️Restaurants8 items
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.3$1.3
=
Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$9.72$7.45
23%
McMeal or equivalent combo$3.24$3.11
4%
Cappuccino (regular)$1.78$0.89
50%
Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.07$2.48
17%
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.92$2.59
11%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.5$0.49
2%
Water (0.33L)$0.26$0.25
4%
🛒Markets19 items
Milk (1L)$1.24$1.19
4%
White bread (500g)$1$0.97
3%
White rice (1kg)$0.82$0.75
9%
Eggs (12)$1.47$1.37
7%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.65$1.88
48%
Beef round (1kg)$7.45$6.27
16%
Local cheese (1kg)$5.94$6.15
3%
Apples (1kg)$2.51$1.04
59%
Bananas (1kg)$0.86$1.13
24%
Oranges (1kg)$2.28$0.84
63%
Tomatoes (1kg)$0.8$0.65
19%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.02$0.71
30%
Onions (1kg)$1.73$1.38
20%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.04$0.45
57%
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.45$0.36
20%
Wine, mid-range bottle$12.96$10.21
21%
Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$2.27$1.94
15%
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.52$3.07
13%
Cigarettes (pack of 20)$2.07$1.94
6%
🚌Transport8 items
One-way local transport ticket$0.32$0.32
=
Monthly transport pass$9.72$3.89
60%
Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.58$0.58
=
Taxi per 1km$0.45$0.32
29%
Taxi 1hr waiting$3.57$2.75
23%
Gasoline (1L)$0.81$0.79
2%
Volkswagen Golf (new)$24,955.34$15,167.66
39%
Toyota Corolla (new)$31,761.34$15,005.61
53%
⚡Utilities3 items
Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$51.2$43.75
15%
Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$41.59$23.77
43%
Mobile prepaid per minute$0.18$0.1
44%
🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items
Fitness club, monthly$25.12$16.2
36%
Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$9.18$4.43
52%
Cinema, 1 ticket$2.92$2.27
22%
👶Childcare2 items
Preschool, full-day private/mo$53.8$68.06
21%
International primary school/yr$4,861.43$6,009.65
19%
👗Clothing4 items
Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$45.36$31.76
30%
Summer dress (chain store)$22.69$32.41
30%
Nike running shoes (mid-range)$75.35$55.1
27%
Men's leather business shoes$47.97$58.34
18%
🏠Rent4 items
1-bedroom apartment, city centre$170.15$205.26
17%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.78$90.75
14%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre$421.32$550.96
24%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$162.05$388.91
58%
🏗️Buy2 items
Price per m², city centre$1,296.38$648.19
50%
Price per m², outside centre$421.32$340.3
19%
💰Finance2 items
Average monthly net salary$231.19$207.42
10%
Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$10.67$6.5
39%

Lower is better for all cost items.

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

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