Jakarta Joins an Exclusive Global Ranking
Jakarta has earned a place on an exclusive list of just 25 cities featured in the Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026. The annual report measures the cost of maintaining a luxury lifestyle for high-net-worth individuals.
The Indonesian capital appears alongside cities long associated with global wealth, including Singapore, Zurich, Monaco, Hong Kong, and London. In the 2026 ranking, Jakarta placed 21st out of 25 cities.
What the Index Actually Measures
The index does not measure the everyday cost of living. Instead, it tracks the cost of a premium lifestyle for the ultra-wealthy.
Julius Baer calculates the ranking using 20 indicators. These include 11 luxury goods and 9 premium services, such as luxury cars, fine dining, private schools, business-class flights, and five-star hotels.
The 2026 report is based on price data collected through the end of February 2026. It also incorporates surveys of high-net-worth individuals across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North America, and Latin America, completed in early March 2026.
Globally, the cost of maintaining a luxury lifestyle rose 10.2% in U.S. dollar terms over the past year. Singapore remained the world's most expensive city for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Zurich, Monaco, Hong Kong, and London.
Monaco entered the top three for the first time, while Sydney recorded the biggest jump, climbing six places to eighth as the Australian dollar strengthened.
Where Jakarta Stands
Among Southeast Asian cities on the list, Jakarta ranks near the bottom. It sits just above Mumbai (22nd) and Manila (23rd).
Jakarta also fell three places from 18th in 2025 to 21st in 2026.
Even so, its inclusion in the ranking signals that Jakarta remains recognized as one of the region's luxury lifestyle hubs. Despite strong competition from cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, the Indonesian capital continues to appear on the global radar for high-end living.
Out of countless major cities worldwide, only 25 made this year's list. Jakarta's position at 21st may place it near the bottom, but it still reflects the city's standing in the global luxury lifestyle landscape.
One Category Where Jakarta Ranks First
Despite its relatively low overall ranking, Jakarta stands out in one category. It is the world's most expensive city for MBA programs, one of the luxury lifestyle items measured in the index.
The cost of earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Jakarta exceeds that of all 24 other cities in the ranking, including Singapore and London.
By contrast, Jakarta ranks 24th out of 25 for both residential property and women's shoes, making it one of the world's most affordable cities for those two luxury categories.
Bangkok Is Rising in a Different Direction
Jakarta is not the only Southeast Asian city on the list. Bangkok also made the ranking and climbed to 10th globally for the first time.
Bangkok is the world's most expensive city for men's suits, women's shoes, and MBA programs. It also ranks second for luxury cars. Its only relatively affordable category is spa services, where it places 20th.
According to the report, Bangkok's rise alongside cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Sydney reflects Southeast Asia's growing influence in global wealth and luxury markets.
With both Jakarta and Bangkok appearing in this year's top 25, Southeast Asia now has two cities on the global luxury lifestyle map—though their rankings are moving in opposite directions.
