😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $692 in Surabaya versus $610 in Gresik.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,196 in Surabaya versus $926 in Gresik.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,700 in Surabaya versus $1,241 in Gresik.
🌍Living in Surabaya is roughly 13% more expensive than in Gresik, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Surabaya50% lower, Gresik56% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.73Rp 30.5K
$1.16Rp 20.4K
49.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.58Rp 203.9K
$10.13Rp 178.3K
14.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 55.3K
$3.08Rp 54.2K
1.95%
Cappuccino
$1.59Rp 28.0K
$1.55Rp 27.4K
2.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57Rp 10.1K
$0.40Rp 7,095
42.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,556
$0.23Rp 4,063
13.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.31Rp 40.7K
$2.28Rp 40.1K
1.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30Rp 75.7K
$2.21Rp 38.9K
94.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.4K
$1.29Rp 22.6K
-5.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30Rp 22.9K
$1.31Rp 23.0K
-0.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84Rp 14.7K
$0.86Rp 15.1K
-2.33%
Eggs
$1.21Rp 21.3K
$1.08Rp 19.0K
12.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.90Rp 139.1K
$7.66Rp 134.8K
3.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.97Rp 52.3K
$3.11Rp 54.8K
-4.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.60Rp 133.8K
$7.62Rp 134.1K
-0.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.13Rp 37.5K
$2.05Rp 36.1K
3.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.4K
$1.33Rp 23.4K
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 32.6K
$1.93Rp 34.0K
-4.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.6K
$1.50Rp 26.4K
4.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34Rp 23.6K
$1.37Rp 24.1K
-2.19%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.1K
$1.95Rp 34.4K
2.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.0K
$0.76Rp 13.4K
27.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,648
$0.41Rp 7,138
4.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.04Rp 35.9K
$1.89Rp 33.3K
7.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.91Rp 456.1K
$11.26Rp 198.2K
130.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 30.8K
$1.78Rp 31.3K
-1.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03Rp 53.4K
$2.71Rp 47.7K
11.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33Rp 5,732
$0.27Rp 4,717
22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.71Rp 153.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,409
$0.47Rp 8,215
2.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,175
$0.47Rp 8,267
-2.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.73Rp 48.0K
$2.74Rp 48.2K
-0.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.2K
$0.81Rp 14.3K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KRp 446.3M
$36.0KRp 633.0M
-29.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7KRp 575.2M
$26.5KRp 467.0M
23.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.2Rp 1.6M
$88.3Rp 1.6M
1.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.62Rp 81.4K
$4.70Rp 82.8K
-1.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.75Rp 347.8K
$19.39Rp 341.4K
1.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.50Rp 325.7K
$28.32Rp 498.6K
-34.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.79Rp 119.5K
$8.41Rp 148.0K
-19.26%
Cinema Ticket
$2.71Rp 47.6K
$2.76Rp 48.5K
-1.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$278Rp 4.9M
$52.9Rp 931.4K
424.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,802Rp 172.6M
$9,754Rp 171.7M
0.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.7Rp 1.3M
$42.91Rp 755.5K
69.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.01Rp 704.5K
$22.48Rp 395.8K
77.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.2Rp 1.4M
$73.6Rp 1.3M
11.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4Rp 1.3M
$76.1Rp 1.3M
0.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$290Rp 5.1M
$170Rp 3.0M
70.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150Rp 2.6M
$117Rp 2.1M
28.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,277Rp 22.5M
$307Rp 5.4M
315.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$607Rp 10.7M
$250Rp 4.4M
142.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,202Rp 38.8M
$1,201Rp 21.1M
83.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,066Rp 18.8M
$677Rp 11.9M
57.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surabaya
Gresik
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$279Rp 4.9M
$115Rp 2.0M
143.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
7.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surabaya: September 5, 2026
Last update for Gresik: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $290 in Surabaya and $170 in Gresik. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Surabaya pays 143% 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 $10.00 in Gresik for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $212 vs $181 per month, with Gresik 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 Gresik: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gresik cheaper than Surabaya?
Gresik is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 13% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Surabaya or Gresik?
Average pay runs 143% 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 Gresik?
Rent for a central apartment: $290 in Surabaya versus $170 in Gresik. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Surabaya and in Gresik?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Surabaya. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Surabaya and in Gresik?
All in, you'll spend $692 per month in Surabaya versus $610 in Gresik – a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Surabaya or Gresik?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Gresik 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 Gresik?
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 Gresik gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Surabaya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.