Medellín vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~28% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Medellín | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $332 | $231 | +$101 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $217 | $156 | +$61 |
| Groceries | $198 | $152 | +$46 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $2 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $27 | $9 | +$18 |
| Utilities | $43 | $35 | +$8 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Medellín | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $454/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $705/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $899/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Medellín | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,084/mo | -$416 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,445/mo | -$555 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,168/mo | -$832 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Medellín vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 28% more affordable than Medellín when combining rent and daily living costs. Medellín's COL+Rent Index of 19.1 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Medellín costs $332/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $101/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Medellín ($198/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $7 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.