Surabaya vs Milan
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~76% 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
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Milan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $1,798 | $1,567 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,262 | $1,106 |
| Groceries | $152 | $372 | $220 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $21 | $19 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $42 | $33 |
| Utilities | $35 | $239 | $204 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $1,887/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $2,766/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $3,425/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Milan | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $6,196/mo | +$4,696 |
| $2,000/mo | $8,261/mo | +$6,261 |
| $3,000/mo | $12,391/mo | +$9,391 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Milan for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 76% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Milan's 57 (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 $1,798/month in Milan — giving Surabaya a $1,567/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $18,804 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Milan ($372/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $21 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.