Surabaya Cost of Living 2026Estimated
Indonesia β’ Southeast Asia
Anchor Cost Index
Affordable
πAnchor Price Breakdown β vs Global Average
πAnchor Price Breakdown
βΉοΈSources: Public economic data, market researchπ΅Monthly Budget Scenarios
βΉοΈBased on crowdsourced price dataMonthly Budget Range
$864
$1,217
πSurabaya Cost of Living: In-Depth Analysis
How Expensive Is Surabaya in 2026?
Surabaya scores 28/100 on the Anchor Cost Index, making it an affordable city by global standards. It ranks #112 of 160 cities worldwide β more expensive than 30% of the cities in our dataset β and #3 of 15 in Southeast Asia.
The headline numbers: a one-bedroom apartment averages $442/month, a Big Mac costs $3.36, a 5 km Uber ride is $2.34, and a Starbucks latte runs $2.36. Together these anchor prices place Surabaya below the global midpoint for day-to-day living costs.
What a Realistic Monthly Budget Looks Like
Depending on lifestyle, a single person needs between $864 and $1,217 per month in Surabaya. A backpacker staying in hostels and eating locally gets by on about $864, a digital nomad with coliving and coworking spends around $910, and an expat professional living centrally should plan for $1,217. A small family of three needs roughly $1,618/month.
For the typical digital nomad budget, housing absorbs about 42% ($379) and food about 37% ($338), with transport, utilities and entertainment making up the rest. That means the fastest way to cut costs in Surabaya is on accommodation β the other categories offer far less room to economize.
πUseful Resources for Surabaya
* Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
πRelated Guides & Articles
π°Similar Cost Cities
πOthers in Southeast Asia
π How Surabaya Compares
Understanding Cost Index
π‘Tips for Living in Surabaya
Affordable Housing: With average rent at $442.00/month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Surabaya offers relatively affordable housing compared to global averages. Consider negotiating directly with landlords for better rates.
Food & Drinks: A Big Mac costs $3.36 and a Starbucks latte goes for $2.36 in Surabaya. Eating at local restaurants instead of international chains can save 40-60% on food costs.
Getting Around: A 5km Uber ride costs $2.34 in Surabaya. Ride-hailing is very affordable here β use it freely for short distances.
Digital Nomad Budget: Plan for approximately $910/month as a digital nomad in Surabaya, covering coworking, accommodation, food, and local transport.
Best Time to Move: Research visa requirements for Indonesia well in advance. Costs shown are in USD and may fluctuate with exchange rates.
βFrequently Asked Questions About Surabaya
What is the cost of living in Surabaya, Indonesia?
Surabaya has an Anchor Cost Index of 28/100, making it affordable. A 1-bedroom apartment costs $442.00/month, a Big Mac is $3.36, and an Uber ride (5km) costs $2.34.Surabaya ranks #112 out of 160 cities worldwide.
How much does rent cost in Surabaya?
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Surabaya costs $442.00/month. This is below the global average of $950.72/month. A digital nomad can expect to spend around $910/month total in Surabaya.
Is Surabaya expensive compared to other cities?
Surabaya is more expensive than 47 cities and cheaper than 110 cities in our database. In Southeast Asia, it ranks #3 out of 15 cities. Cities with similar costs include Beirut, Curitiba, Cartagena.
How much money do I need to live in Surabaya?
Monthly budgets vary by lifestyle: a backpacker needs ~$864/mo, a digital nomad ~$910/mo, a small family ~$1,618/mo, and an expat professional ~$1,217/mo. These include housing, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
π Data Sources
We aggregate data from trusted sources to provide accurate cost of living comparisons. All prices are converted to USD.
Purchasing power parity indicator
Verified price data from multiple sources
Taxi, rideshare, public transit prices
Streaming services, digital platforms
Data is updated periodically. Prices may vary based on location, promotions, and exchange rates.