Lyon vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~66% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $231 | +$701 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $156 | +$510 |
| Groceries | $304 | $152 | +$152 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $2 | +$13 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $9 | +$54 |
| Utilities | $146 | $35 | +$111 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $514/mo | -$986 |
| $2,000/mo | $685/mo | -$1,315 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,027/mo | -$1,973 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 66% more affordable than Lyon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 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 Lyon costs $932/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $701/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,412 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/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.