London vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~81% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $231 | +$2,272 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $156 | +$1,804 |
| Groceries | $422 | $152 | +$270 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $2 | +$26 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $9 | +$104 |
| Utilities | $258 | $35 | +$223 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $284/mo | -$1,216 |
| $2,000/mo | $379/mo | -$1,621 |
| $3,000/mo | $568/mo | -$2,432 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 81% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 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 London costs $2,503/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $2,272/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $27,264 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 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.