Surabaya vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~76% 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
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $1,998 | $1,767 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,566 | $1,410 |
| Groceries | $152 | $418 | $266 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $22 | $20 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $73 | $64 |
| Utilities | $35 | $169 | $134 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $2,189/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $2,988/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $3,701/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $6,207/mo | +$4,707 |
| $2,000/mo | $8,275/mo | +$6,275 |
| $3,000/mo | $12,413/mo | +$9,413 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Chicago for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 76% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Chicago's 57.1 (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 Surabaya costs $231/month versus $1,998/month in Chicago — giving Surabaya a $1,767/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $21,204 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Chicago ($418/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $22 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.