---
title: "Bandung vs Semarang for digital nomads"
url: https://nostos.navoy.io/compare/bandung-vs-semarang
description: "Under balanced weights Semarang edges it, 51 to 47, winning 4 of the 9 factors. Bandung is stronger on nothing outright; Semarang on climate. Change the weights in the ranker to see which one wins for you."
dataset: 2026.10.7 (2026-10-13)
license: CC BY 4.0
---

# Bandung vs Semarang for digital nomads

Under balanced weights Semarang edges it, 51 to 47, winning 4 of the 9 factors. Bandung is stronger on nothing outright; Semarang on climate. Change the weights in the ranker to see which one wins for you.

## Factor scores (0–100, balanced weights)

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cost of living | 59 | 60 | Semarang |
| Safety | 67 | 67 | tie |
| Healthcare | 56 | 56 | tie |
| Internet | 47 | 48 | Semarang |
| Visa ease | 54 | 54 | tie |
| Getting there & around | 32 | 41 | Semarang |
| Climate | 8 | 33 | Semarang |
| Air quality | 58 | 53 | Bandung |
| Quality of life | 45 | 45 | tie |

## Cost

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly cost, one person | $1,025 | $1,000 | Semarang |
| Central one-bedroom rent | no data | no data | — |

## Safety and health (country-level)

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Homicides per 100k | 0.41 | 0.41 | tie |
| Political stability (0–100) | 52.7 | 52.7 | tie |
| UHC service coverage (0–100) | 67 | 67 | tie |
| Life expectancy | 68.3 yrs | 68.3 yrs | tie |

## Internet (M-Lab measured medians)

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Download | 10.8 Mbps | 11.4 Mbps | Semarang |
| Upload | 5.3 Mbps | 5.2 Mbps | Bandung |

## Visa

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nomad visa | Remote worker visa (E33G) | Remote worker visa (E33G) | tie |
| Minimum income for the visa | $5,000/mo | $5,000/mo | tie |
| Entry, US passport | visa on arrival | visa on arrival | tie |
| Entry, EU passport | visa on arrival | visa on arrival | tie |
| Entry, UK passport | visa on arrival | visa on arrival | tie |

## Getting there and around

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-stop airport destinations | 9 | 14 | Semarang |
| Walkability (1–5, editorial) | 2 | 2 | tie |
| Transit (1–5, editorial) | 2 | 3 | Semarang |

## Climate and air

| Metric | Bandung | Semarang | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Comfortable months per year | 1 | 4 | Semarang |
| Annual mean PM2.5 | 23.7 µg/m³ | 26.3 µg/m³ | Bandung |

## FAQ

### Which is cheaper, Bandung or Semarang?

Semarang is cheaper: about $1,000 per month versus $1,025 for one person.

### Is Bandung or Semarang safer?

Bandung scores higher on safety (67 vs 67), based on national homicide rates and World Bank political-stability scores.

### Where is the internet faster, Bandung or Semarang?

Semarang: a measured median of 11.4 Mbps versus 10.8 Mbps (M-Lab, 2024).

City pages: [Bandung](https://nostos.navoy.io/cities/bandung) · [Semarang](https://nostos.navoy.io/cities/semarang). Sources: Cost of Living Global 2026 (city rows); 2026 Cost of Living Index (country level); Worldwide Governance Indicators — Political Stability and Absence of Violence (score 0–100); Victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population (national data, latest year); UHC service coverage index; Life expectancy at birth (years), both sexes; M-Lab NDT statistics (city aggregates, 2024); Airport destinations (Wikipedia airline and destination tables); NASA POWER climatology (2001–2020 monthly means); SatPM2.5 satellite-derived annual PM2.5 (V6.GL.02.04); Human Development Index (HDR 2025, HDI 2023); EF English Proficiency Index 2024 (band); Walkability and transit ratings (editorial); Passport Index dataset (visa requirements, 199 passports × 199 destinations); WhereNext city cost estimates 2026 (city pages); OpenStreetMap restaurants (Overpass API); Nostos long-stay visa guides; Starlink availability map.

HTML page: https://nostos.navoy.io/compare/bandung-vs-semarang