Indonesia
Data updated Jun 19, 2026
Overall Score
63.0
Good
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$311.05
-82% vs US Avg
Safety Index
54
COL Index
24.6
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Please check the latest official travel advisories for Indonesia before planning your trip.
Indonesia makes sense for a specific type of person: someone who has done Southeast Asia before, can tolerate genuine bureaucratic friction, and is targeting a budget well under $1,500 a month. Bali gets most of the attention, but the real case for Indonesia is that your dollar goes further here than almost anywhere else in the region if you're willing to live closer to local rhythms. The Level 2 advisory reflects real considerations, including terrorism risk in certain areas and civil unrest, not just boilerplate caution. This is not a plug-and-play retirement destination. People who do well here tend to be adaptable, already comfortable in Asia, and not dependent on English-language services for daily life.
The numbers are genuinely low. Excluding rent, a single person can get by on around $430 a month, and a one-bedroom in a city center runs about $311. That puts a modest but comfortable budget at roughly $750 to $900 per month total, or $1,200 to $1,500 if you want air conditioning running constantly, a scooter, occasional restaurants aimed at foreigners, and a few flights within the archipelago each year. Bali specifically skews higher than the national average, with a decent one-bedroom in Seminyak or Canggu running $500 to $900 depending on the season and how close you are to the tourist belt. The $311 city center figure reflects places like Yogyakarta or Surabaya, not tourist Bali. Food from local warungs costs almost nothing, but imported groceries and Western-style restaurants can cost nearly as much as back home.
The friction here is real and worth taking seriously before you commit. Indonesia does not have a straightforward long-term visa for retirees or remote workers, though the Second Home Visa introduced in 2022 allows stays of up to 5 or 10 years with a minimum bank deposit requirement of around $130,000 held in an Indonesian account. Most people on shorter stays cycle through social or tourist visas, which caps your stay and creates logistical overhead. English proficiency is low outside of tourist areas and major business districts, which affects everything from navigating medical appointments to sorting out housing contracts. The healthcare index of 60.9 reflects real gaps: private hospitals in Jakarta and Denpasar are adequate for routine care, but serious conditions typically require medical evacuation to Singapore, which makes comprehensive international health insurance with evacuation coverage non-negotiable. Internet ranks 116th globally for fixed broadband, which matters if you are working remotely and need reliable speeds for video calls.
For US expats, the standard rules apply. You still file US taxes on worldwide income regardless of where you live. Indonesia does not have a tax treaty with the United States, which means there is no treaty-based relief to reduce double taxation. You can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which shelters up to $126,500 of earned income for 2024 if you meet the physical presence or bona fide residence test, and the Foreign Tax Credit can offset Indonesian taxes paid against your US liability. Indonesia taxes residents on income earned within the country at progressive rates running from 5% up to 35% on income above approximately $370,000 USD equivalent. If you are living off investment income, dividends, or Social Security rather than active earnings, the FEIE does not apply to those, and you need to plan accordingly since there is no treaty to fall back on.
Recommended Destinations in Indonesia
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Jakarta
- Official Language
- Indonesian
- Time Zone
- UTC+07:00
- Region
- Asia
- Population
- 273,523,621
- Healthcare Index
- 60.9
- Internet Speed
- 43.18 Mbps
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Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in Indonesia
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Indonesia.
CoL Index: 38
Est. Total: ~$1,200/mo
CoL Index: 49
Est. Total: ~$1,200/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$860/mo
CoL Index: 41
Est. Total: ~$733/mo
CoL Index: 34
Est. Total: ~$653/mo
CoL Index: 36
Est. Total: ~$830/mo
CoL Index: 31
Est. Total: ~$649/mo
CoL Index: 30
Est. Total: ~$580/mo
CoL Index: 36
Est. Total: ~$800/mo
CoL Index: 33
Est. Total: ~$740/mo
CoL Index: 36
Est. Total: ~$800/mo
CoL Index: 41
Est. Total: ~$970/mo
CoL Index: 32
Est. Total: ~$511/mo
CoL Index: 25
Est. Total: ~$488/mo
CoL Index: 35
Est. Total: ~$892/mo
CoL Index: 34
Est. Total: ~$667/mo
CoL Index: 25
Est. Total: ~$477/mo
CoL Index: 25
Est. Total: ~$650/mo
CoL Index: 25
Est. Total: ~$800/mo
CoL Index: 30
Est. Total: ~$546/mo
How far does $607.64 go in Indonesia?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Indonesia. After accounting for an average rent of $311.05, you have approximately $1,188.95 remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs →💰 Cost of Living in Indonesia
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means rent is cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means groceries are cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means eating out is cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in Indonesia: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $1,529.0 (25,952,897.4Rp), excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $429.7 (7,293,368.0Rp), excluding rent. Cost of living in Indonesia is, on average, 22.5% lower than in Colombia. Rent in Indonesia is, on average, 22.4% lower than in Colombia.
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
⚕️ Healthcare System
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An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Indonesia is committed to achieving universal health coverage by 2024, necessitating reforms in its health-financing system to enhance accessibility and affordability. The country ranks 126th in health spending per capita, with expenditures of $132.96 in 2020. While efforts are underway to improve healthcare financing, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access and quality of care.
Insurance Insights:
Reforming the health-financing system is key to achieving universal health coverage, with a focus on increasing public spending and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
🛂 Visa & Residency Pathways
🛂 Visa Services
Ready to apply for a Indonesia visa?
Get help with your application — tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Process & Requirements:
Indonesia's visa system has been evolving but remains 'complex' for those seeking long-term stability. The primary route for expats is the work-based ITAS (Temporary Stay Permit), which requires sponsorship from an Indonesian company. Recently, Indonesia launched a 'Second Home Visa' aimed at wealthy investors, requiring a deposit of IDR 2 billion (approx. $130,000 USD) in an Indonesian bank or proof of luxury property ownership. There is also a Digital Nomad visa, but its long-term stability is still being established.
For retirees, there is a specific retirement ITAS, but it has age (55+) and income requirements that must be met. The variety of visas, each with distinct and often high financial or employment barriers, makes the system complex to navigate. The Directorate General of Immigration is the responsible authority (URL: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/). The bureaucracy is known to be significant, and using a local visa agent is almost always necessary.
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
The pathway to permanent residency (ITAP) is 'complex' but possible. It typically requires three to five years of continuous temporary residency on an ITAS, depending on the visa category (e.g., work vs. marriage to an Indonesian). The application process is handled within Indonesia and is a significant upgrade in status. The path to citizenship is 'difficult'. After five consecutive years of holding an ITAP (or ten non-consecutive years), a foreigner is eligible to apply for naturalization.
Applicants must be able to speak the Indonesian language, be financially self-sufficient, and have a clean criminal record. The most significant hurdle is that Indonesian law generally does not permit dual citizenship. An applicant must renounce their previous nationality to become an Indonesian citizen. This requirement, combined with the long residency timeline, makes citizenship an option that very few foreign residents choose to pursue.
🛂 Visa Matcher
See which Indonesia visas you qualify for
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Detailed Visa Options
🛡️ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
Reflects perceptions of political stability. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: Moderate. Indonesia experiences moderate levels of crime, with occasional violent incidents.
Types of Crime: Petty theft, burglary, and occasional violent crime.
Kidnapping Risk: Moderate; incidents have occurred, particularly in remote areas.
🏦 Taxation & Finance
Recommended Partner
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My Expat Taxes →Recommended Partner
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Taxes For Expats →Recommended Partner
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Fidelity →Recommended Partner
SoFi →🏦 Tax Snapshot
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Indonesia tax treaty. Tax residents (183+ days/year) pay income tax on worldwide earnings.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Retiree visa (KITAS) available but no tax exemptions. Foreign pensions taxed if remitted.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Very affordable outside Bali/Jakarta. $1,500/month allows comfortable living.
☀️ Climate & Environment
Our proprietary index measuring annual average PM2.5 concentration. Lower is better (0-5 is good).
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
😊 Quality of Life
Cultural Amenities:
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Indonesia offers a plethora of museums that showcase the archipelago’s fascinating past and vibrant present.
Performing Arts
Traditional genres of music, dance, and theater are integral to Indonesian culture, with efforts to transmit them to younger generations.
Cultural Festivals
Indonesia hosts various cultural festivals that celebrate its diverse traditions and communities.
Culinary Culture
Indonesian cuisine includes dishes like Tumpeng, a Javanese dish where rice is formed into a cone and served with complementary foods.
🌐 Infrastructure & Connectivity
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Radical Storage →Recommended Partner
GetRentacar.com →Recommended Partner
Drimsim →Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
Indonesia offers basic internet infrastructure with improving speeds, though reliability can be inconsistent across the vast archipelago.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 20-25 Mbps with fiber expanding in major cities. Telkom, Indihome, and private providers offer varying quality services.
Availability: Good in Jakarta and major cities, decent in Bali tourist areas, limited on smaller islands.
Cost: Affordable at Rp 200,000-500,000 monthly for decent speeds, good value for local market.
Reliability for Remote Work: Reliability varies significantly by location. Bali and Jakarta generally stable for remote work, though backup connections recommended. Growing digital nomad community in Bali (Canggu, Ubud) with coworking spaces, but connection quality can be inconsistent.
Transportation Network:
Indonesia faces infrastructure challenges due to its archipelagic nature, with ongoing development across islands.
Roads: Highway infrastructure varies by island, with Java having the most developed network.
Rail: Limited rail infrastructure mainly on Java, with plans for expansion to other islands.
Domestic Travel: Extensive domestic aviation network essential for inter-island travel, with ferry services connecting islands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indonesia
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