Stockholm vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~73% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $231 | +$1,218 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $156 | +$983 |
| Groceries | $339 | $152 | +$187 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $2 | +$15 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $9 | +$84 |
| Utilities | $103 | $35 | +$68 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $406/mo | -$1,094 |
| $2,000/mo | $541/mo | -$1,459 |
| $3,000/mo | $812/mo | -$2,188 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 73% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 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 Stockholm costs $1,449/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — giving Surabaya a $1,218/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,616 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 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.