Surabaya vs Dammam
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~42% 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
Dammam
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
23.7
Rent Index
10.1
Groceries
35
Restaurant
28.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Dammam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $379 | $148 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $266 | $110 |
| Groceries | $152 | $247 | $95 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $11 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $26 | $17 |
| Utilities | $35 | $65 | $30 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Dammam |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $574/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $882/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $1,153/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Dammam | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,576/mo | +$1,076 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,435/mo | +$1,435 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,152/mo | +$2,152 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Dammam for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 42% more affordable than Dammam when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Dammam's 23.7 (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 $379/month in Dammam — giving Surabaya a $148/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 Dammam ($247/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $11 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.