Mataram vs Dehradun: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Dehradun costs roughly 64% less than Mataram. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Dehradun is approximately 3.8x more expensive than Mataram based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mataram a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mataram has a FIRE Score of 83/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 78, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Mataram is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mataram
Mataram is a cheap place to live, but only if you earn outside Indonesia. A one-bedroom outside the center runs $134/mo and a mid-range restaurant meal for two costs $9, yet the average local net salary is $223/mo, so the $2,000/mo income floor on the Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS) and Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) tells you exactly who this city is built for. The 81/100 overall expat score and 83/100 FIRE score are strong, and a safety index of 78/100 with a crime index of 22/100 makes daily life feel easy. The catch is infrastructure and community: 28 Mbps internet, fair healthcare, a small expat scene, and a hot, humid climate with a heavy wet season from November to March.
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.
$2,652/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Dehradun
Dehradun is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $214/mo and a comfortable single lifestyle running just $446/mo. The catch is the local economy: an average net salary of $362/mo means most newcomers are earning remotely, and the $7/mo internet and 40 Mbps speed make that plausible. Air quality sits at 110 and English is mostly limited to tourist areas, so this is a base for the self-sufficient, not the pampered. At 640 m in a subtropical climate with a 90/100 expat score, it rewards those who want Himalayan access without Himalayan prices.
About India
Skip this one if you need a straightforward retirement or nomad visa: neither exists, and PR/citizenship access is complex and difficult. Rent under $151/mo in city centers makes it a fit for budget-focused remote workers with existing income solutions who can tolerate medium expat safety and moderate political stability.
$2,652/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Mataram | Dehradun |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $55.84 | $213.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $134.01 | $153.31 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $450 | $408.08 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $335.04 | $259.07 |
| Safety Index | 78 | 72 |
| Internet Speed | 28Mbps | 40Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Mataram | Dehradun |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $380/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $227/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $153/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $64.00/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $31.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $46.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $74.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $12.00/mo |
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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