Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Makassar vs Matara

Makassar vs Matara

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Makassar 19% cheaper N/A / N/A

Makassar

Arief Hidayat/Unsplash

Matara

Dulana Kodithuwakku/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$839

Makassar

$1,039

Matara

Internet

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Matara

Air Quality

5/5

Makassar

5/5

Matara

Healthcare

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Matara

Population

1.3m

Makassar

809.3k

Matara

Makassar (Indonesia) and Matara (Sri Lanka) are both in Asia, offering different takes on the nomad lifestyle. Here is how they compare across the metrics that matter most.

Cost of Living

Makassar has a modest cost advantage at $839/mo versus Matara's $1039/mo, a 19% difference that adds up over a longer stay.

For families, Makassar costs $1800.101453918562/mo compared to Matara's $1005.305549855629/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Makassar leads on internet connectivity at 32 Mbps (ranked #0 globally) versus Matara's 24 Mbps (#0). The speed gap is notable for video-heavy remote work.

Quality of Life

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

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Makassar and Matara.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Makassar is August (around 35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 374), while Matara peaks in February (35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 387). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

MakassarMatara

Nomad$839/mo$1,039/mo

Expat$683/mo$568/mo

Local$514/mo$287/mo

Family$1,800/mo$1,005/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

MakassarMatara

City Speed

32 Mbps

24 Mbps

Country Speed32 Mbps24 Mbps

Environment & Health

MakassarMatara

Air Quality Score5/55/5

PollutionN/AN/A

ClimateN/AN/A

Humidity8575

Quality of Life

MakassarMatara

SafetyN/AN/A

HealthcareN/AN/A

Monthly Weather Comparison

Makassar

Matara

Jan

36°

11mm87

34°

1mm373

Feb

37°

4mm210

35°

0mm387

Mar

37°

6mm179

35°

1mm377

Apr

38°

3mm282

36°

1mm330

May

38°

1mm346

35°

11mm166

Jun

36°

1mm348

32°

5mm135

Jul

35°

0mm372

32°

2mm299

Aug

35°

0mm374

32°

5mm182

Sep

37°

0mm354

32°

5mm166

Oct

37°

1mm330

33°

4mm182

Nov

37°

6mm271

33°

6mm212

Dec

33°

16mm41

34°

1mm330

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 Matara?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $1039
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $1005.305549855629/mo for families
Peak season in February — 35 degrees, score 387

Overall Verdict

Overall, Makassar edges ahead for most digital nomads — at $839/mo it runs 19% cheaper than Matara's $1039/mo, with 32 Mbps internet for reliable remote work.

Granular Price Comparison

Makassar Matara

ItemMakassarMataraDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.3—

—

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

—

McMeal or equivalent combo$3.24—

—

Cappuccino (regular)$1.78—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.07—

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.92—

—

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.5—

—

Water (0.33L)$0.26—

—

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)$1.24—

—

White bread (500g)$1—

—

White rice (1kg)$0.82—

—

Eggs (12)$1.47—

—

Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.65—

—

Beef round (1kg)$7.45—

—

Local cheese (1kg)$5.94—

—

Apples (1kg)$2.51—

—

Bananas (1kg)$0.86—

—

Oranges (1kg)$2.28—

—

Tomatoes (1kg)$0.8—

—

Potatoes (1kg)$1.02—

—

Onions (1kg)$1.73—

—

Lettuce (1 head)$1.04—

—

Water (1.5L bottle)$0.45—

—

Wine, mid-range bottle$12.96—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$2.27—

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.52—

—

Cigarettes (pack of 20)$2.07—

—

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket$0.32—

—

Monthly transport pass$9.72—

—

Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.58—

—

Taxi per 1km$0.45—

—

Taxi 1hr waiting$3.57—

—

Gasoline (1L)$0.81—

—

Volkswagen Golf (new)$24,955.34—

—

Toyota Corolla (new)$31,761.34—

—

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$51.2—

—

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$41.59—

—

Mobile prepaid per minute$0.18—

—

🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items

Fitness club, monthly$25.12—

—

Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$9.18—

—

Cinema, 1 ticket$2.92—

—

👶Childcare2 items

Preschool, full-day private/mo$53.8—

—

International primary school/yr$4,861.43—

—

👗Clothing4 items

Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$45.36—

—

Summer dress (chain store)$22.69—

—

Nike running shoes (mid-range)$75.35—

—

Men's leather business shoes$47.97—

—

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre$170.15—

—

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.78—

—

3-bedroom apartment, city centre$421.32—

—

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$162.05—

—

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre$1,296.38—

—

Price per m², outside centre$421.32—

—

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary$231.19—

—

Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$10.67—

—

Lower is better for all cost items.

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

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