Mexico City vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~60% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Mexico City
Mexico
COL+Rent
34.8
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
42
Restaurant
30.9
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Mexico City | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $922 | $231 | +$691 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $602 | $156 | +$446 |
| Groceries | $253 | $152 | +$101 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $2 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $26 | $9 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $59 | $35 | +$24 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Mexico City | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $912/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $1,440/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,809/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Mexico City | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $595/mo | -$905 |
| $2,000/mo | $793/mo | -$1,207 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,190/mo | -$1,810 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Mexico City vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 60% more affordable than Mexico City when combining rent and daily living costs. Mexico City's COL+Rent Index of 34.8 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 Mexico City costs $922/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $691/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,292 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Mexico City ($253/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 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.