Jakarta vs. Dalian: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Quality of Life and Safety

Climate Index

63.8 / 63.7

Cost of Living Index

29.6 / 33.2

Jakarta   Dalian

h2 Dalian presents a significantly superior quality of life compared to Jakarta, reflected in its higher Quality of Life Index (165.15 vs. Jakarta's 100). Key aspects like safety (Safety Index: 83.21 vs. Jakarta's 49.21) and healthcare (Healthcare Index: 73.98 vs. Jakarta's 54.98) are notably better in Dalian. The city also suffers from less severe air or water pollution issues (Pollution Index: 62.16 vs. Jakarta's 69.33). While Jakarta's quality metrics are considerably lower, indicating potential challenges in safety, healthcare access, and environmental conditions, Dalian offers a more appealing and secure living environment overall.

Cost of Living Overview

Health Care Index

57.3 / 74

Pollution Index

84.6 / 62.2

Jakarta   Dalian

h2 When considering the cost of living, Dalian emerges as the more expensive city overall, particularly in housing, transportation, and basic groceries. The Cost of Living Index favors Dalian (33.16) compared to Jakarta (28.59). However, the difference is less pronounced in groceries, where Jakarta is slightly cheaper. Dalian's higher cost is driven by significantly more expensive public transportation, groceries, and, crucially, housing. Despite this, salaries in Dalian are substantially higher than in Jakarta ($1,083/month vs. $700/month), which partially offsets the higher living expenses.

Housing Market and Affordability

Property Price to Income Ratio

20.9 / 9.9

Purchasing Power Index

46.9 / 102.1

Jakarta   Dalian

h2 The housing market differs starkly between the two cities. Dalian has a much lower Property Price to Income Ratio (9.85 vs. Jakarta's 10.0), suggesting that while property prices are higher, they are more reasonably priced relative to the average income compared to Jakarta. Specific areas like Shenyang (Property Price Index: 384.83) are significantly more expensive than Jakarta's central areas. Jakarta's property prices, while lower in absolute terms than Dalian's city center, are still higher than surrounding areas, reflecting its status as Indonesia's economic hub. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is higher in Dalian ($406/month) than in Jakarta ($316/month), but a 3-bedroom apartment is slightly cheaper in Dalian ($432/month) than in Jakarta ($516/month).

Economic Indicators and Income

Quality of Life Index

79.4 / 165.2

Safety Index

47.3 / 83.2

Jakarta   Dalian

h2 Economically, Dalian offers significantly higher earning potential. The Average Monthly Net Salary in Dalian ($1,083) is substantially higher than in Jakarta ($700). This higher income aligns with the city's GDP per capita ($22,100 vs. Jakarta's $10,000), indicating a more prosperous economic environment. Dalian also boasts a lower Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (4.16% vs. Jakarta's 9.00%), making homeownership potentially more accessible for those with the higher salaries. Conversely, Jakarta's lower salary makes its relatively lower cost of living less impactful in terms of disposable income compared to Dalian.

Overall Comparison and Conclusion

Traffic Commute Time Index

53.5 / 27

Jakarta   Dalian

h2 In summary, Dalian offers a vastly superior quality of life, higher earning potential, and a more prosperous economic environment, albeit at a significantly higher cost for housing, transportation, and basic goods. While Jakarta is considerably cheaper, its lower quality of life scores in safety, healthcare, and environmental factors, along with a lower salary, diminish its appeal as a comparable option to Dalian. The trade-off between cost savings in Jakarta and the enhanced safety, healthcare, income, and overall quality of life in Dalian appears heavily weighted towards Dalian for most individuals and families seeking a better living environment, despite the higher expenses.