Surabaya vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~77% 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
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Surabaya | Toronto | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $231 | $2,174 | $1,943 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $156 | $1,728 | $1,572 |
| Groceries | $152 | $410 | $258 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $22 | $20 |
| Transit Pass | $9 | $92 | $83 |
| Utilities | $35 | $160 | $125 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Surabaya | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $314/mo | $2,355/mo |
| Typical | $457/mo | $3,166/mo |
| Comfortable | $552/mo | $3,904/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Surabaya | ≈ in Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $6,587/mo | +$5,087 |
| $2,000/mo | $8,783/mo | +$6,783 |
| $3,000/mo | $13,174/mo | +$10,174 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Surabaya vs Toronto for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 77% more affordable than Toronto when combining rent and daily living costs. Surabaya's COL+Rent Index of 13.8 vs Toronto's 60.6 (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 $2,174/month in Toronto — giving Surabaya a $1,943/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $23,316 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Surabaya ($152/mo) vs Toronto ($410/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $22 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.