Osaka vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~52% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Osaka
Japan
COL+Rent
28.9
Rent Index
12.1
Groceries
46.3
Restaurant
32.2
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Osaka | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $533 | $231 | +$302 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $344 | $156 | +$188 |
| Groceries | $267 | $152 | +$115 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $2 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $54 | $9 | +$45 |
| Utilities | $152 | $35 | +$117 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Osaka | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $765/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $1,111/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,349/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Osaka | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $716/mo | -$784 |
| $2,000/mo | $955/mo | -$1,045 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,433/mo | -$1,567 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Osaka vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 52% more affordable than Osaka when combining rent and daily living costs. Osaka's COL+Rent Index of 28.9 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 Osaka costs $533/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $302/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,624 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Osaka ($267/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.