Brussels vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~75% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Brussels
Belgium
COL+Rent
54.9
Rent Index
35.6
Groceries
63.8
Restaurant
63.7
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brussels | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,575 | $231 | +$1,344 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,188 | $156 | +$1,032 |
| Groceries | $358 | $152 | +$206 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $2 | +$18 |
| Transit Pass | $50 | $9 | +$41 |
| Utilities | $233 | $35 | +$198 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brussels | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,802/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $2,516/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,124/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brussels | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $377/mo | -$1,123 |
| $2,000/mo | $503/mo | -$1,497 |
| $3,000/mo | $754/mo | -$2,246 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brussels vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 75% more affordable than Brussels when combining rent and daily living costs. Brussels's COL+Rent Index of 54.9 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 Brussels costs $1,575/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,344/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $16,128 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brussels ($358/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.