Jeddah vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~49% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $231 | +$224 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $156 | +$164 |
| Groceries | $276 | $152 | +$124 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $2 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $9 | +$20 |
| Utilities | $73 | $35 | +$38 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $767/mo | -$733 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,022/mo | -$978 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,533/mo | -$1,467 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 49% more affordable than Jeddah when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 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 Jeddah costs $455/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $224/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,688 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 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.