Mumbai vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~45% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Mumbai
India
COL+Rent
25
Rent Index
16.2
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
25
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Mumbai | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $462 | $231 | +$231 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $272 | $156 | +$116 |
| Groceries | $125 | $152 | $27 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $2 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $14 | $9 | +$5 |
| Utilities | $39 | $35 | +$4 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Mumbai | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $441/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $745/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $944/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Mumbai | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $828/mo | -$672 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,104/mo | -$896 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,656/mo | -$1,344 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Mumbai vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 45% more affordable than Mumbai when combining rent and daily living costs. Mumbai's COL+Rent Index of 25 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Mumbai costs $462/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $231/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,772 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Mumbai ($125/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.