Surabaya vs Hyderabad
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~27% 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
Hyderabad
India
COL+Rent
18.8
Rent Index
10.6
Groceries
24.6
Restaurant
18.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Hyderabad | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $302 | $71 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $178 | $22 |
| Groceries | $152 | $100 | +$52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $5 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $11 | $2 |
| Utilities | $35 | $31 | +$4 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $310/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $519/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $659/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Hyderabad | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,043/mo | +$543 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,725/mo | +$725 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,087/mo | +$1,087 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Hyderabad for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 27% more affordable than Hyderabad when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Hyderabad's 18.8 (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 Hyderabad — 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 Hyderabad ($100/mo) reflect Hyderabad's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $5 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.