😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $692 in Surabaya versus $492 in Banyuwangi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,196 in Surabaya versus $769 in Banyuwangi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,700 in Surabaya versus $1,046 in Banyuwangi.
🌍Living in Surabaya is roughly 41% more expensive than in Banyuwangi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Surabaya50% lower, Banyuwangi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.73Rp 30.5K
$0.73Rp 12.9K
136.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.58Rp 204.0K
$11.44Rp 201.5K
1.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 55.3K
$3.02Rp 53.3K
3.97%
Cappuccino
$1.59Rp 28.0K
$1.25Rp 22.0K
27.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57Rp 10.1K
$0.39Rp 6,841
46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,557
$0.18Rp 3,141
44.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.31Rp 40.7K
$2.06Rp 36.3K
12.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30Rp 75.8K
$4.27Rp 75.2K
0.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.4K
$1.05Rp 18.5K
16.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30Rp 23.0K
$0.71Rp 12.5K
83.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84Rp 14.7K
$0.79Rp 14.0K
6.33%
Eggs
$1.21Rp 21.3K
$0.83Rp 14.6K
45.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.90Rp 139.2K
$3.56Rp 62.7K
121.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.97Rp 52.3K
$2.13Rp 37.5K
39.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.60Rp 133.8K
$6.44Rp 113.4K
18.01%
Apples(1kg)
$2.13Rp 37.5K
$1.99Rp 35.0K
7.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.4K
$0.56Rp 9,803
137.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 32.6K
$0.69Rp 12.2K
168.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.6K
$1.00Rp 17.6K
56.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34Rp 23.6K
$0.83Rp 14.7K
61.45%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.2K
$0.92Rp 16.2K
117.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.0K
$0.54Rp 9,582
79.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,651
$0.37Rp 6,470
16.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.04Rp 35.9K
$1.95Rp 34.3K
4.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.91Rp 456.3K
$5.57Rp 98.2K
365.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 30.8K
$1.40Rp 24.6K
25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03Rp 53.4K
$2.22Rp 39.0K
36.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33Rp 5,734
$0.27Rp 4,729
22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.42Rp 148.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,413
$0.49Rp 8,654
-2.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,178
$0.29Rp 5,118
58.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.73Rp 48.0K
$2.65Rp 46.7K
3.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.2K
$0.74Rp 13.1K
9.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KRp 446.5M
$22.9KRp 402.8M
10.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7KRp 575.4M
$27.8KRp 489.4M
17.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.2Rp 1.6M
$47.60Rp 838.3K
87.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.62Rp 81.4K
$4.61Rp 81.3K
0.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.75Rp 347.9K
$18.14Rp 319.6K
8.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.50Rp 325.9K
$20.25Rp 356.7K
-8.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.79Rp 119.6K
$8.65Rp 152.3K
-21.50%
Cinema Ticket
$2.71Rp 47.7K
$1.92Rp 33.8K
41.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$278Rp 4.9M
$27.75Rp 488.8K
900.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,802Rp 172.6M
$1,128Rp 19.9M
769.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.7Rp 1.3M
$23.02Rp 405.5K
215.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.01Rp 704.8K
$11.17Rp 196.8K
258.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.2Rp 1.4M
$55.8Rp 982.6K
47.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4Rp 1.3M
$28.17Rp 496.1K
171.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$290Rp 5.1M
$220Rp 3.9M
31.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150Rp 2.6M
$157Rp 2.8M
-4.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,277Rp 22.5M
$572Rp 10.1M
123.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$607Rp 10.7M
$366Rp 6.4M
65.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,202Rp 38.8M
$1,187Rp 20.9M
85.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,066Rp 18.8M
$660Rp 11.6M
61.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surabaya
Banyuwangi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$279Rp 4.9M
$155Rp 2.7M
80.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
6.84
9.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surabaya: September 5, 2026
Last update for Banyuwangi: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $290 in Surabaya and $220 in Banyuwangi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Surabaya pays 80% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Surabaya vs $11.00 in Banyuwangi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $212 vs $119 per month, with Banyuwangi 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
Surabaya vs Banyuwangi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banyuwangi cheaper than Surabaya?
Banyuwangi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 41% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Surabaya or Banyuwangi?
Average pay runs 80% higher in Surabaya, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Surabaya and Banyuwangi?
Rent for a central apartment: $290 in Surabaya versus $220 in Banyuwangi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $278 in Surabaya versus $27.75 in Banyuwangi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Surabaya or in Banyuwangi?
Dining out is cheaper in Banyuwangi – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $12.00 in Surabaya. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Surabaya or Banyuwangi?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Banyuwangi 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 Surabaya or in Banyuwangi?
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 safer, Surabaya or Banyuwangi?
Safety-wise, Surabaya and Banyuwangi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Banyuwangi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Surabaya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.