Jakarta vs Semarang
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, Semarang where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Semarang's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Jakarta | Semarang |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 55 | 58 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 44 |
| Climate | 81 | 81 |
| Safety | 48 | 51 |
| Summer °C | 27.8 | 27.8 |
| Winter °C | 26.6 | 26.0 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | storms (hurricane/cyclone) |
Jakarta vs Semarang: the short answer
Semarang comes out ahead on overall livability (58/100), modestly above Jakarta (55/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Semarang is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Jakarta 40 vs Semarang 44, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Semarang runs warmer in summer (about 27.8°C peak vs 27.8°C in Jakarta), while winter lows sit near 26.6°C in Jakarta and 26.0°C in Semarang. On natural-disaster exposure Semarang is the safer choice (safety 51/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Jakarta and storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Semarang.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Semarang — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Semarang — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Semarang — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Semarang — 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 Semarang better to live in?
Semarang scores higher overall — 58 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Jakarta or Semarang?
Semarang has the lower cost of living (cost index 44 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Jakarta or Semarang?
Semarang — summer highs reach about 27.8°C versus 27.8°C in Jakarta.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Jakarta or Semarang?
Semarang (disaster-safety 51/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Jakarta, storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Semarang.
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 Semarang 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.