Surabaya vs The Hague
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~73% 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
The Hague
Netherlands
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
34.8
Groceries
55.8
Restaurant
57.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | The Hague | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $1,546 | $1,315 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,214 | $1,058 |
| Groceries | $152 | $319 | $167 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $19 | $17 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $93 | $84 |
| Utilities | $35 | $179 | $144 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | The Hague |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $1,785/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $2,422/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $3,003/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in The Hague | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $5,533/mo | +$4,033 |
| $2,000/mo | $7,377/mo | +$5,377 |
| $3,000/mo | $11,065/mo | +$8,065 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs The Hague for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 73% more affordable than The Hague when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs The Hague's 50.9 (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 $1,546/month in The Hague — giving Surabaya a $1,315/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $15,780 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs The Hague ($319/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $19 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.