🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $654 in Sidoarjo versus $700 in Surabaya.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $995 in Sidoarjo versus $1,117 in Surabaya.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,336 in Sidoarjo versus $1,535 in Surabaya.
🙂Living in Sidoarjo costs roughly 7% less than in Surabaya, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sidoarjo51% lower, Surabaya48% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.56Rp 28.2K
$1.52Rp 27.7K
2.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.08Rp 219.0K
$12.46Rp 226.0K
-3.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.05Rp 55.3K
$3.13Rp 56.8K
-2.56%
Cappuccino
$0.63Rp 11.4K
$1.74Rp 31.5K
-63.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51Rp 9,182
$0.66Rp 11.9K
-22.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,108
$0.28Rp 5,079
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.47Rp 44.9K
$2.50Rp 45.3K
-1.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91Rp 70.8K
$3.92Rp 71.1K
-0.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43Rp 26.0K
$1.42Rp 25.8K
0.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13Rp 20.5K
$1.50Rp 27.2K
-24.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93Rp 16.8K
$0.93Rp 16.9K
-
Eggs
$1.49Rp 27.1K
$1.50Rp 27.2K
-0.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.47Rp 171.7K
$9.31Rp 168.8K
1.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.63Rp 47.7K
$3.17Rp 57.6K
-17.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.99Rp 108.7K
$8.19Rp 148.6K
-26.86%
Apples(1kg)
$0.96Rp 17.4K
$2.40Rp 43.5K
-60.00%
Banana(1kg)
$0.58Rp 10.6K
$1.50Rp 27.1K
-61.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.77Rp 14.0K
$2.17Rp 39.3K
-64.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$1.42Rp 25.7K
-54.93%
Potato(1kg)
$0.82Rp 14.9K
$1.38Rp 25.0K
-40.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.14Rp 20.7K
$1.78Rp 32.3K
-35.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.32Rp 5,822
$1.16Rp 21.0K
-72.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,725
$0.45Rp 8,198
-4.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17Rp 39.3K
$2.44Rp 44.2K
-11.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.30Rp 440.7K
$24.54Rp 445.1K
-0.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80Rp 32.6K
$1.83Rp 33.2K
-1.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15Rp 57.0K
$3.27Rp 59.3K
-3.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,370
$0.47Rp 8,599
-36.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.01Rp 181.6K
$9.14Rp 165.8K
9.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 8,000
$0.47Rp 8,534
-6.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,652
$0.31Rp 5,637
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.21Rp 22.0K
$2.75Rp 49.9K
-56.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 15.0K
$0.87Rp 15.8K
-4.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KRp 381.1M
$20.8KRp 378.0M
0.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6KRp 627.7M
$34.9KRp 632.4M
-0.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.6Rp 1.5M
$83.9Rp 1.5M
-0.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.17Rp 75.7K
$4.10Rp 74.4K
1.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.45Rp 225.8K
$19.83Rp 359.7K
-37.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.42Rp 424.8K
$21.93Rp 397.8K
6.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00Rp 108.9K
$4.44Rp 80.5K
35.14%
Cinema Ticket
$2.88Rp 52.3K
$2.96Rp 53.7K
-2.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$192Rp 3.5M
$192Rp 3.5M
0.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,550Rp 173.2M
$9,350Rp 169.6M
2.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.9Rp 1.1M
$62.9Rp 1.1M
-1.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.38Rp 696.0K
$39.45Rp 715.5K
-2.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.3Rp 1.4M
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-0.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.2Rp 1.5M
$82.0Rp 1.5M
1.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$256Rp 4.6M
$244Rp 4.4M
4.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$160Rp 2.9M
$135Rp 2.4M
18.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$591Rp 10.7M
$762Rp 13.8M
-22.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$330Rp 6.0M
$389Rp 7.1M
-15.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,187Rp 21.5M
$2,223Rp 40.3M
-46.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$728Rp 13.2M
$1,057Rp 19.2M
-31.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sidoarjo
Surabaya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$269Rp 4.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.33
8.33
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sidoarjo: June 6, 2026
Last update for Surabaya: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $256 in Sidoarjo and $244 in Surabaya. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Sidoarjo vs $12.00 in Surabaya for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $184 vs $227 per month, with Sidoarjo cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Sidoarjo vs Surabaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surabaya cheaper than Sidoarjo?
Sidoarjo is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $981 in Sidoarjo and $1,050 in Surabaya to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Sidoarjo and Surabaya?
Rent for a central apartment: $256 in Sidoarjo versus $244 in Surabaya. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Sidoarjo vs Surabaya?
All in, you'll spend $654 per month in Sidoarjo versus $700 in Surabaya – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Sidoarjo runs roughly 10% less than in Surabaya. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 enough for either Sidoarjo or Surabaya?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Sidoarjo gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Sidoarjo or Surabaya?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Sidoarjo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Surabaya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.