Miami vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~77% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Miami
United States
COL+Rent
60.5
Rent Index
48
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
77.8
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Miami | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,183 | $231 | +$1,952 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,711 | $156 | +$1,555 |
| Groceries | $435 | $152 | +$283 |
| Restaurant Meal | $23 | $2 | +$21 |
| Transit Pass | $76 | $9 | +$67 |
| Utilities | $176 | $35 | +$141 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Miami | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,360/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,215/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,974/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Miami | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $342/mo | -$1,158 |
| $2,000/mo | $456/mo | -$1,544 |
| $3,000/mo | $684/mo | -$2,316 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Miami vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 77% more affordable than Miami when combining rent and daily living costs. Miami's COL+Rent Index of 60.5 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 Miami costs $2,183/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,952/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $23,424 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Miami ($435/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $23 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.