Hyderabad vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~27% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Hyderabad
India
COL+Rent
18.8
Rent Index
10.6
Groceries
24.6
Restaurant
18.6
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hyderabad | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $302 | $231 | +$71 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $178 | $156 | +$22 |
| Groceries | $100 | $152 | $52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $5 | $2 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $11 | $9 | +$2 |
| Utilities | $31 | $35 | $4 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hyderabad | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $310/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $519/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $659/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hyderabad | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,101/mo | -$399 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,468/mo | -$532 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,202/mo | -$798 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hyderabad vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 27% more affordable than Hyderabad when combining rent and daily living costs. Hyderabad's COL+Rent Index of 18.8 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 Hyderabad costs $302/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $71/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 Hyderabad ($100/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Hyderabad's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $5 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.