Rome vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $231 | +$1,195 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $156 | +$844 |
| Groceries | $329 | $152 | +$177 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $2 | +$16 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $9 | +$28 |
| Utilities | $211 | $35 | +$176 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $426/mo | -$1,074 |
| $2,000/mo | $568/mo | -$1,432 |
| $3,000/mo | $852/mo | -$2,148 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 72% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 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 Rome costs $1,426/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,195/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,340 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.