Geneva vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~85% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Geneva
Switzerland
COL+Rent
89.4
Rent Index
59.2
Groceries
129.2
Restaurant
128.7
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Geneva | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,622 | $231 | +$2,391 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,082 | $156 | +$1,926 |
| Groceries | $734 | $152 | +$582 |
| Restaurant Meal | $36 | $2 | +$34 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $9 | +$83 |
| Utilities | $234 | $35 | +$199 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Geneva | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,066/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $4,222/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,302/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Geneva | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $232/mo | -$1,268 |
| $2,000/mo | $309/mo | -$1,691 |
| $3,000/mo | $463/mo | -$2,537 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Geneva vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 85% more affordable than Geneva when combining rent and daily living costs. Geneva's COL+Rent Index of 89.4 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 Geneva costs $2,622/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $2,391/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $28,692 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Geneva ($734/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $36 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.