Semarang vs Makassar

How to read the comparison chart

The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Semarang leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Makassar where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Makassar's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.

Semarang vs Makassar: the short answer

Makassar comes out ahead on overall livability (59/100), only marginally above Semarang (58/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Makassar is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Semarang 44 vs Makassar 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 27.6°C in Makassar), while winter lows sit near 26.0°C in Semarang and 25.9°C in Makassar. On natural-disaster exposure Makassar is the safer choice (safety 54/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Semarang and flooding for Makassar.

Which city should you choose?

• On a tight budget → Makassar — lower everyday costs..
• You want warmth → Semarang — hotter summers.
• Safety is the priority → Makassar — lower disaster risk.
• Best all-rounder → Makassar — 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.

Compiled by the CityLivably data team from open public datasets (World Bank, USGS, climate normals).

FAQ

Is Semarang or Makassar better to live in?

Makassar scores higher overall — 59 vs 58 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.

Which is cheaper, Semarang or Makassar?

Makassar has the lower cost of living (cost index 44 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).

Which is warmer, Semarang or Makassar?

Semarang — summer highs reach about 27.8°C versus 27.6°C in Makassar.

Which is safer from natural disasters, Semarang or Makassar?

Makassar (disaster-safety 54/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Semarang, flooding in Makassar.

What is the main natural-disaster risk in Semarang?

storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Semarang on our risk index.

How is the Semarang vs Makassar 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.