Jakarta vs Pekanbaru
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Jakarta leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Pekanbaru where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Pekanbaru's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Jakarta | Pekanbaru |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 55 | 61 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 45 |
| Climate | 81 | 84 |
| Safety | 48 | 56 |
| Summer °C | 27.8 | 27.1 |
| Winter °C | 26.6 | 26.0 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | flooding |
Jakarta vs Pekanbaru: the short answer
Pekanbaru comes out ahead on overall livability (61/100), modestly above Jakarta (55/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Pekanbaru is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Jakarta 40 vs Pekanbaru 45, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Jakarta runs warmer in summer (about 27.8°C peak vs 27.1°C in Pekanbaru), while winter lows sit near 26.6°C in Jakarta and 26.0°C in Pekanbaru. On natural-disaster exposure Pekanbaru is the safer choice (safety 56/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Jakarta and flooding for Pekanbaru.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Pekanbaru — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Jakarta — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Pekanbaru — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Pekanbaru — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Jakarta or Pekanbaru better to live in?
Pekanbaru scores higher overall — 61 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Jakarta or Pekanbaru?
Pekanbaru has the lower cost of living (cost index 45 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Jakarta or Pekanbaru?
Jakarta — summer highs reach about 27.8°C versus 27.1°C in Pekanbaru.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Jakarta or Pekanbaru?
Pekanbaru (disaster-safety 56/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Jakarta, flooding in Pekanbaru.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Jakarta?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Jakarta on our risk index.
How is the Jakarta vs Pekanbaru comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.