Toronto vs Surabaya
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Surabaya is ~77% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Surabaya
Indonesia
COL+Rent
13.8
Rent Index
6.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
11.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Toronto | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,174 | $231 | +$1,943 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,728 | $156 | +$1,572 |
| Groceries | $410 | $152 | +$258 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $2 | +$20 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $9 | +$83 |
| Utilities | $160 | $35 | +$125 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Toronto | Surabaya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,355/mo | $314/mo |
| Typical | $3,166/mo | $457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,904/mo | $552/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Toronto | ≈ in Surabaya | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $342/mo | -$1,158 |
| $2,000/mo | $455/mo | -$1,545 |
| $3,000/mo | $683/mo | -$2,317 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Toronto vs Surabaya for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Surabaya is approximately 77% more affordable than Toronto when combining rent and daily living costs. Toronto's COL+Rent Index of 60.6 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 Toronto costs $2,174/month versus $231/month in Surabaya — 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 Toronto ($410/mo) vs Surabaya ($152/mo) reflect Surabaya's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.