Phuket vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~38% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $371 | $231 | +$140 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $234 | $156 | +$78 |
| Groceries | $229 | $152 | +$77 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $2 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $25 | $9 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $67 | $35 | +$32 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Phuket | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $502/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $752/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $913/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Phuket | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $937/mo | -$563 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,249/mo | -$751 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,873/mo | -$1,127 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Phuket vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 38% more affordable than Phuket when combining rent and daily living costs. Phuket's COL+Rent Index of 22.1 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Phuket costs $371/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $140/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Phuket ($229/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 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.