Is a Salary of IDR 5 Million Enough to Live in Jakarta in 2025?

One of the most frequently asked questions among job seekers, fresh graduates, or newcomers to the city is: “Is a monthly salary of IDR 5 million (±USD 330) enough to live in Jakarta?”.

Living in Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital city, comes with both opportunities and challenges. The answer depends on your lifestyle, financial habits, and expectations.

1. The Minimum Wage Benchmark (UMR)

As of 2025, the official minimum wage (UMR) in Jakarta stands at IDR 5,396,760 per month (source: DKI Jakarta Manpower Office). This figure is updated annually and considers inflation, economic growth, and standard living costs. So technically, a salary of IDR 5 million is slightly below the official minimum wage.

According to the National Statistics Agency (BPS), the minimum wage is meant to cover only basic needs—food, transportation, and limited housing.

2. How Does IDR 5M Compare to the Average Salary?

If we compare it to the average earnings:

• National average salary (2024): IDR 3.09 million
• Jakarta average salary (2025): IDR 8.66 million
  (source: Join Horizons)

This means that IDR 5 million is 42% below the average income in Jakarta, placing earners in this bracket in the lower-income category.

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3. Cost of Living in Jakarta

Living expenses in Jakarta are notoriously high by Indonesian standards. Here’s a breakdown for a single person’s monthly cost (excluding luxuries):

That adds up to around IDR 4.3M – 7.6M per month, and this excludes emergencies, savings, or entertainment.

A 2022 report by Tricruise.id estimated average monthly household spending in Jakarta at IDR 14.88 million.

For those aiming at a “comfortable life,” Exotiq Property estimates a cost of USD 600–1000 per month, or around IDR 9–15 million.

4. Visualizing the Gap

The chart below compares IDR 5 million against minimum wage, average salary, and various living cost benchmarks in Jakarta:

Chart: Jakarta Salary vs Living Costs (2025)
→ Clearly, IDR 5 million is below the average cost of living, even for a single person with a modest lifestyle.

5. Can You Survive on IDR 5M?

Yes, but just barely. Living on IDR 5M/month in Jakarta often means:

• Living in kost (boarding house) rather than renting an apartment
• Cooking meals at home instead of eating out
• Using public transport only
• Zero to minimal savings
• No room for emergencies or leisure expenses

You’ll likely need to cut corners on food, healthcare, and entertainment. It may work for students or fresh grads in transition, but not sustainable for long-term comfort or family living.

6. Side Hustles & Cost Optimization

If you’re stuck at a salary of IDR 5M:

• Find freelance gigs or part-time jobs online (e.g., content writing, graphic design)
• Use Jakarta’s free transportation options like TransJakarta for shorter commutes
• Shop at local markets (pasar tradisional) instead of supermarkets
• Join co-living spaces to split rent and utilities

7. Conclusion: It’s Tight, But Possible

While a salary of IDR 5 million is technically livable, it is far from comfortable—especially in an expensive capital like Jakarta. The high cost of rent, transportation, and basic necessities leaves very little wiggle room.

For long-term financial stability, saving, and quality of life, aiming for a salary of IDR 8–10 million or more is more realistic.