Ho Chi Minh City vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~38% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
COL+Rent
22.2
Rent Index
13.1
Groceries
37.5
Restaurant
19.1
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ho Chi Minh City | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $482 | $231 | +$251 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $297 | $156 | +$141 |
| Groceries | $207 | $152 | +$55 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $2 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $7 | $9 | $2 |
| Utilities | $55 | $35 | +$20 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ho Chi Minh City | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $520/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $811/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $985/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ho Chi Minh City | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $932/mo | -$568 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,243/mo | -$757 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,865/mo | -$1,135 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ho Chi Minh City vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 38% more affordable than Ho Chi Minh City when combining rent and daily living costs. Ho Chi Minh City's COL+Rent Index of 22.2 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 Ho Chi Minh City costs $482/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $251/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,012 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ho Chi Minh City ($207/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, 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 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.