Amsterdam vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~79% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Amsterdam | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,318 | $231 | +$2,087 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $156 | +$1,666 |
| Groceries | $374 | $152 | +$222 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $2 | +$20 |
| Transit Pass | $109 | $9 | +$100 |
| Utilities | $210 | $35 | +$175 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Amsterdam | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,491/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,341/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,094/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Amsterdam | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $316/mo | -$1,184 |
| $2,000/mo | $421/mo | -$1,579 |
| $3,000/mo | $632/mo | -$2,368 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Amsterdam vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 79% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Amsterdam's COL+Rent Index of 65.5 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Amsterdam costs $2,318/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $2,087/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,044 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Amsterdam ($374/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $2 show Surabaya offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Surabaya offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $457 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.