Malmö vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~61% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $231 | +$525 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $156 | +$438 |
| Groceries | $260 | $152 | +$108 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $2 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $9 | +$62 |
| Utilities | $79 | $35 | +$44 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $590/mo | -$910 |
| $2,000/mo | $786/mo | -$1,214 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,179/mo | -$1,821 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 61% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $525/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,300 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Malmö ($260/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 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.