Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Makassar vs Palembang

Makassar vs Palembang

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Makassar 14% cheaper N/A / N/A

Makassar

Arief Hidayat/Unsplash

Palembang

Ujuk Safar/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$839

Makassar

$978

Palembang

Internet

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Palembang

Air Quality

5/5

Makassar

5/5

Palembang

Healthcare

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Palembang

Population

1.3m

Makassar

1.5m

Palembang

Makassar and Palembang 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 cost difference is noticeable: Makassar at $839/mo is 14% cheaper than Palembang at $978/mo, worth considering for extended stays.

For families, Makassar costs $1800.101453918562/mo compared to Palembang's $1879.037484553069/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

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

Quality of Life

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

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Makassar and Palembang.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Makassar is August (around 35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 374), while Palembang peaks in July (37 degrees, 0mm rain, score 349). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

MakassarPalembang

Nomad$839/mo$978/mo

Expat$683/mo$731/mo

Local$514/mo$537/mo

Family$1,800/mo$1,879/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

MakassarPalembang

City Speed

32 Mbps

Country Speed32 Mbps32 Mbps

Environment & Health

MakassarPalembang

Air Quality Score5/55/5

PollutionN/AN/A

ClimateN/AN/A

Humidity8592

Quality of Life

MakassarPalembang

SafetyN/AN/A

HealthcareN/AN/A

Monthly Weather Comparison

Makassar

Palembang

Jan

36°

11mm87

36°

16mm154

Feb

37°

4mm210

36°

13mm138

Mar

37°

6mm179

38°

8mm185

Apr

38°

3mm282

40°

14mm185

May

38°

1mm346

39°

9mm272

Jun

36°

1mm348

38°

7mm277

Jul

35°

0mm372

37°

0mm349

Aug

35°

0mm374

37°

0mm329

Sep

37°

0mm354

38°

2mm277

Oct

37°

1mm330

39°

1mm326

Nov

37°

6mm271

39°

10mm169

Dec

33°

16mm41

35°

8mm200

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 Palembang?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $978
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $1879.037484553069/mo for families
Peak season in July — 37 degrees, score 349

Overall Verdict

For the typical digital nomad, Makassar is the stronger pick. At $839/mo it beats Palembang's $978/mo by 14%, and the 32 Mbps internet handles video calls without issues.

Granular Price Comparison

Makassar Palembang

ItemMakassarPalembangDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.3$0.97

25%

Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$9.72$6.48

33%

McMeal or equivalent combo$3.24$2.92

10%

Cappuccino (regular)$1.78—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.07$2.59

20%

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.92$1.62

45%

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.5$0.65

23%

Water (0.33L)$0.26$0.32

19%

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)$1.24$1.32

White bread (500g)$1$1.36

26%

White rice (1kg)$0.82$0.62

24%

Eggs (12)$1.47$1.18

20%

Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.65$3.4

Beef round (1kg)$7.45$7.63

Local cheese (1kg)$5.94—

—

Apples (1kg)$2.51$3.08

19%

Bananas (1kg)$0.86$1.13

24%

Oranges (1kg)$2.28$1.78

22%

Tomatoes (1kg)$0.8$0.58

28%

Potatoes (1kg)$1.02$0.78

24%

Onions (1kg)$1.73$2.27

24%

Lettuce (1 head)$1.04$0.32

69%

Water (1.5L bottle)$0.45$0.49

Wine, mid-range bottle$12.96—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$2.27$2.59

12%

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.52$1.62

54%

Cigarettes (pack of 20)$2.07$1.3

37%

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket$0.32$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$0.8

Volkswagen Golf (new)$24,955.34—

—

Toyota Corolla (new)$31,761.34—

—

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$51.2$32.41

37%

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$41.59$35.65

14%

Mobile prepaid per minute$0.18—

—

🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items

Fitness club, monthly$25.12$12.96

48%

Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$9.18—

—

Cinema, 1 ticket$2.92$2.27

22%

👶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$25.93

43%

Summer dress (chain store)$22.69$27.55

18%

Nike running shoes (mid-range)$75.35$35.65

53%

Men's leather business shoes$47.97$29.17

39%

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre$170.15$259.28

34%

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.78$194.46

60%

3-bedroom apartment, city centre$421.32—

—

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$162.05—

—

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre$1,296.38$972.29

25%

Price per m², outside centre$421.32—

—

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary$231.19$159.65

31%

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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