Davao vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Davao
Philippines
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
4.5
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
14.2
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Davao | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $171 | $231 | $60 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $110 | $156 | $46 |
| Groceries | $160 | $152 | +$8 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $2 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $8 | $9 | $1 |
| Utilities | $60 | $35 | +$25 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Davao | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $306/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $459/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $577/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Davao | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,479/mo | -$21 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,971/mo | -$29 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,957/mo | -$43 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Davao vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Davao and Surabaya are remarkably close in overall cost, with less than 2% difference in their combined COL+Rent indices. Davao's COL+Rent Index of 14 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Davao costs $171/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Davao a $60/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Davao ($160/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect similar food costs, while restaurant meals at $4 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 similar value to its counterpart, so your choice should weigh factors like climate, visa accessibility, internet speed, and community. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.