Sydney vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~80% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $231 | +$2,211 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $156 | +$1,666 |
| Groceries | $483 | $152 | +$331 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $2 | +$23 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $9 | +$105 |
| Utilities | $171 | $35 | +$136 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $297/mo | -$1,203 |
| $2,000/mo | $396/mo | -$1,604 |
| $3,000/mo | $594/mo | -$2,406 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 80% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Surabaya's 13.8 (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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — 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 Sydney ($483/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $2 show Surabaya offers cheaper dining. 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.