Dublin vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~82% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $231 | +$2,911 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $156 | +$2,299 |
| Groceries | $420 | $152 | +$268 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $2 | +$22 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $9 | +$105 |
| Utilities | $225 | $35 | +$190 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $267/mo | -$1,233 |
| $2,000/mo | $356/mo | -$1,644 |
| $3,000/mo | $534/mo | -$2,466 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 82% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 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 Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $2,911/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $34,932 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 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.