Jakarta VS London

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Jakarta
Indonesia
24.5
COLI Index
#99
Global Rank
IDR
Currency
London
United Kingdom
87.5
COLI Index
#6
Global Rank
GBP
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
24.5
87.5
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$500
$2,500
Total Deductions
19.1%
26.6%
Exchange Rate
1 IDR = 0.0000 GBP
Is Jakarta cheaper than London?

Yes, Jakarta is 72% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Jakarta has a COLI of 24.5, while London has a COLI of 87.5. 72% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Jakarta vs London

Overall, Jakarta is approximately 72% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Jakarta has a COLI of 24.5 (ranked #99 of 182 cities), while London has a COLI of 87.5 (ranked #6).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Jakarta averages $500/month compared to $2,500/month in London. That makes Jakarta approximately 80% cheaper for rent alone.

Jakarta has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Jakarta. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Jakarta

Income Tax
14%
BPJS (Health + Employment)
5.0%
Total: 19.1%Take-Home: Rp 229,555,158/yr

London

Income Tax
15%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg)
3.6%
Total: 26.6%Take-Home: £36,294/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn Rp 1,157,756,024 in Jakarta, you would need approximately £201,700 in London to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 72% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Jakarta (IDR) London (GBP)
Doctor (General) Rp 680,760,542 £118,599
Software Engineer Rp 321,470,256 £56,005
Product Manager Rp 378,200,301 £65,889
Lawyer Rp 378,200,301 £65,889
Data Scientist Rp 359,290,286 £62,594
Marketing Manager Rp 272,304,217 £47,440
Teacher Rp 181,536,145 £31,627
Nurse Rp 219,356,175 £38,215

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Jakarta (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Menteng1.30x (+30%)
Sudirman (SCBD)1.25x (+25%)
Thamrin1.22x (+22%)
Senopati1.20x (+20%)
Kemang1.18x (+18%)

London (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mayfair1.45x (+45%)
Chelsea1.38x (+38%)
Kensington1.35x (+35%)
Marylebone1.32x (+32%)
Hampstead1.30x (+30%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jakarta or London more expensive?

London is more expensive overall. Jakarta has a COLI of 24.5 while London has a COLI of 87.5, making Jakarta approximately 72% cheaper.

What salary in London equals Rp 1,157,756,024 in Jakarta?

To maintain the same standard of living as Rp 1,157,756,024 in Jakarta, you would need approximately £201,700 in London.

Is rent cheaper in Jakarta or London?

Average one-bedroom rent in Jakarta is $500/month compared to $2,500/month in London. Jakarta has lower rent by approximately 80%.

Which city has lower taxes, Jakarta or London?

Jakarta has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Jakarta.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.