Surabaya vs Brasília
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~23% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Brasília
Brazil
COL+Rent
17.9
Rent Index
7.2
Groceries
28.5
Restaurant
23.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Brasília | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $302 | $71 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $191 | $35 |
| Groceries | $152 | $185 | $33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $8 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $38 | $29 |
| Utilities | $35 | $48 | $13 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Brasília |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $439/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $693/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $895/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Brasília | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,946/mo | +$446 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,594/mo | +$594 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,891/mo | +$891 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Brasília for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 23% more affordable than Brasília when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Brasília's 17.9 (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 Surabaya costs $231/month versus $302/month in Brasília — giving Surabaya a $71/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 Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Brasília ($185/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $8 show Surabaya is the better value for dining out. 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.