Surabaya vs Medellín
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~28% 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
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $332 | $101 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $217 | $61 |
| Groceries | $152 | $198 | $46 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $7 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $27 | $18 |
| Utilities | $35 | $43 | $8 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $454/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $705/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $899/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Medellín | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,076/mo | +$576 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,768/mo | +$768 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,152/mo | +$1,152 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Medellín for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 28% more affordable than Medellín when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Medellín's 19.1 (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 $332/month in Medellín — giving Surabaya a $101/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 Medellín ($198/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $7 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.