Surabaya vs Faro
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~46% 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
Faro
Portugal
COL+Rent
25.5
Rent Index
12.9
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
27.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Faro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $574 | $343 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $447 | $291 |
| Groceries | $152 | $183 | $31 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $10 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $29 | $20 |
| Utilities | $35 | $86 | $51 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $730/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $1,022/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $1,295/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Faro | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,772/mo | +$1,272 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,696/mo | +$1,696 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,543/mo | +$2,543 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Faro for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 46% more affordable than Faro when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Faro's 25.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Surabaya costs $231/month versus $574/month in Faro — giving Surabaya a $343/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,116 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Faro ($183/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $10 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.