Cost of living in Batam
Batam, a vibrant city in Indonesia, is known for its strategic location and bustling economy. Understanding the cost of living in Batam is crucial for both expatriates and locals planning to move or budget their expenses.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Batam for 2024, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.20 on average.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $7.54, with prices ranging from $7.54 to $18.85.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $3.30, with a range between $3.14 and $3.46.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.57 to $3.14, imported beer $3.46 to $5.03, cappuccino $2.20, and Coke/Pepsi $0.63 to $1.26.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.94 and $1.76 per liter, averaging $1.19.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.75 and $1.57, with an average price of $1.18.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.21 to $2.11, averaging $1.39.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.89 to $3.39 per kg, while oranges range from $1.57 to $2.51 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.94 and $1.26 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.94 to $3.14 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.44 and $1.45.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.63 and $0.90 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.63, with a cost of $0.44 to $0.94 per km and $3.14 to $6.28 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $282.80 to $345.65, averaging $296.72.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $62.85 to $261.62, averaging $171.46.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $732.53 to $942.68, averaging $843.01.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $314.23 to $523.23, averaging $421.47.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $628.45 to $1822.51, averaging $1340.70.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1319.75.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $75.41 and $100.55, averaging $90.08.
- Internet - Internet services range from $31.42 to $62.85, with an average cost of $47.13.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Indonesia are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Indonesia, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
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Clothing And Shoes
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Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
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"Key Takeaways"
Batam offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, making it an attractive option for both locals and expatriates.
Dining out is particularly affordable, with inexpensive meals available for as low as $2.20.
Housing costs are reasonable, especially outside the city centre, where rent can be significantly lower.
Transportation is economical, with low costs for public transport and fuel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Batam presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining, housing, and transportation options.
This makes it an appealing destination for those looking to balance quality of life with cost efficiency. Potential residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank.