Makassar vs Tai’an: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Tai’an costs roughly 6.5x less than Makassar. Makassar leads on digital nomad infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Makassar is approximately 53% less expensive than Tai’an based on cost of living including rent. This makes Makassar a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Makassar has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Makassar is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Makassar
Makassar is a budget traveler's dream with a cost of living index of 36/100 and a one-bedroom city center apartment for just $196/mo, but the average local net salary of $214/mo means you are living in a different economy than most residents. The digital nomad score of 64/100 and limited English proficiency, plus a small expat community concentrated in Panakkukang, make it better for self-sufficient remote workers than for social butterflies. Tropical monsoon rains and an air quality index of 65 are real trade-offs, and the $2,000/mo income requirement for both the retirement and remote worker visas prices out all but the comfortably funded. Come for the $2 restaurant meals and $4/mo transport pass, stay only if you can handle the humidity and the isolation.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,590/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Tai’an
Tai'an is a budget expat's dream with a comfortable tier total of just $554/mo, but the 99 km haul to TNA airport and limited English will test your patience. The 88/100 safety index and $2 meals are stellar, yet the 78 air quality index and continental climate make it a gritty, not glamorous, choice. If you crave cheap living and don't mind a provincial grind, this mountain town delivers; if you need convenience or community, look elsewhere. It's a solid FIRE pick at 91/100, but retirees should weigh the 69/100 score against the healthcare quality.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$2,583/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Makassar | Tai’an |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $195.58 | $300 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $150.87 | $200 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $391.15 | $600 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $307.33 | $400 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 88 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 65.2Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Makassar | Tai’an |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $434/mo | $447/mo |
| Excluding rent | $283/mo | $247/mo |
| Rent | $151/mo | $200/mo |
| Groceries | $93.00/mo | $102/mo |
| Dining out | $17.00/mo | $22.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $52.00/mo | $39.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $117/mo | $84.00/mo |
| Transport | $4.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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