Surabaya vs Rome
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~72% 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
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $1,426 | $1,195 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,000 | $844 |
| Groceries | $152 | $329 | $177 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $18 | $16 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $37 | $28 |
| Utilities | $35 | $211 | $176 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $2,273/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $2,823/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $5,283/mo | +$3,783 |
| $2,000/mo | $7,043/mo | +$5,043 |
| $3,000/mo | $10,565/mo | +$7,565 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Rome for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 72% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Rome's 48.6 (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 $1,426/month in Rome — giving Surabaya a $1,195/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,340 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Rome ($329/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $18 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.