Heraklion vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~48% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Heraklion
Greece
COL+Rent
26.4
Rent Index
8.5
Groceries
41.8
Restaurant
45
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Heraklion | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $335 | $231 | +$104 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $242 | $156 | +$86 |
| Groceries | $258 | $152 | +$106 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16 | $2 | +$14 |
| Transit Pass | $25 | $9 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $132 | $35 | +$97 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Heraklion | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $644/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $990/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,332/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Heraklion | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $784/mo | -$716 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,045/mo | -$955 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,568/mo | -$1,432 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Heraklion vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 48% more affordable than Heraklion when combining rent and daily living costs. Heraklion's COL+Rent Index of 26.4 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Heraklion costs $335/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $104/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 Heraklion ($258/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $16 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.