Perth vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~75% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $231 | +$1,527 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $156 | +$1,155 |
| Groceries | $412 | $152 | +$260 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $2 | +$20 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $9 | +$88 |
| Utilities | $146 | $35 | +$111 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $372/mo | -$1,128 |
| $2,000/mo | $496/mo | -$1,504 |
| $3,000/mo | $743/mo | -$2,257 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 75% more affordable than Perth when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 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 Perth costs $1,758/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,527/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $18,324 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Perth ($412/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.