Singapore vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~82% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Singapore | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,120 | $231 | +$2,889 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,280 | $156 | +$2,124 |
| Groceries | $410 | $152 | +$258 |
| Restaurant Meal | $11 | $2 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $86 | $9 | +$77 |
| Utilities | $166 | $35 | +$131 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Singapore | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,863/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,947/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,662/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Singapore | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $267/mo | -$1,233 |
| $2,000/mo | $357/mo | -$1,643 |
| $3,000/mo | $535/mo | -$2,465 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Singapore vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 82% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Singapore's COL+Rent Index of 77.4 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 Singapore costs $3,120/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $2,889/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $34,668 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Singapore ($410/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $11 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.