Surabaya vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~80% 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $2,442 | $2,211 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,822 | $1,666 |
| Groceries | $152 | $483 | $331 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $25 | $23 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $114 | $105 |
| Utilities | $35 | $171 | $136 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $7,576/mo | +$6,076 |
| $2,000/mo | $10,101/mo | +$8,101 |
| $3,000/mo | $15,152/mo | +$12,152 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 80% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Sydney's 69.7 (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 $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Surabaya a $2,211/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $26,532 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $25 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.