Lisbon vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~68% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $231 | +$1,106 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $156 | +$884 |
| Groceries | $277 | $152 | +$125 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $2 | +$13 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $9 | +$36 |
| Utilities | $130 | $35 | +$95 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $473/mo | -$1,027 |
| $2,000/mo | $630/mo | -$1,370 |
| $3,000/mo | $945/mo | -$2,055 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 68% more affordable than Lisbon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 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 Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,106/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,272 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 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.