Surabaya vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~61% 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
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $756 | $525 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $594 | $438 |
| Groceries | $152 | $260 | $108 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $13 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $71 | $62 |
| Utilities | $35 | $79 | $44 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,815/mo | +$2,315 |
| $2,000/mo | $5,087/mo | +$3,087 |
| $3,000/mo | $7,630/mo | +$4,630 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 61% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmö — giving Surabaya a $525/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,300 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $13 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.