Surabaya vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~82% 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
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $3,142 | $2,911 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $2,455 | $2,299 |
| Groceries | $152 | $420 | $268 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $24 | $22 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $114 | $105 |
| Utilities | $35 | $225 | $190 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $8,424/mo | +$6,924 |
| $2,000/mo | $11,232/mo | +$9,232 |
| $3,000/mo | $16,848/mo | +$13,848 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 82% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Dublin's 77.5 (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 $3,142/month in Dublin — giving Surabaya a $2,911/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $34,932 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $24 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.