😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $676 in Surabaya versus $653 in Jayapura.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,202 in Surabaya versus $1,008 in Jayapura.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,728 in Surabaya versus $1,362 in Jayapura.
🌍Living in Surabaya is roughly 4% more expensive than in Jayapura, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Surabaya51% lower, Jayapura52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.73Rp 30.7K
$1.68Rp 29.8K
2.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.51Rp 204.3K
$9.84Rp 174.6K
16.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.25Rp 57.7K
$3.16Rp 56.0K
2.85%
Cappuccino
$1.58Rp 28.0K
$2.14Rp 38.0K
-26.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 10.9K
$0.67Rp 11.8K
-7.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,565
$0.55Rp 9,689
-52.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22Rp 39.3K
$3.50Rp 62.1K
-36.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36Rp 77.4K
$2.79Rp 49.5K
56.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$1.33Rp 23.7K
-4.51%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30Rp 23.1K
$0.96Rp 17.0K
35.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.90Rp 15.9K
$0.81Rp 14.4K
11.11%
Eggs
$1.23Rp 21.8K
$1.43Rp 25.3K
-13.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.62Rp 135.2K
$7.92Rp 140.6K
-3.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.09Rp 54.9K
$2.95Rp 52.4K
4.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.60Rp 134.9K
$7.58Rp 134.5K
0.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.12Rp 37.6K
$2.24Rp 39.7K
-5.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.28Rp 22.7K
$1.32Rp 23.4K
-3.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92Rp 34.1K
$1.78Rp 31.5K
7.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 27.8K
$1.24Rp 22.0K
26.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34Rp 23.8K
$1.31Rp 23.3K
2.29%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03Rp 36.0K
$2.02Rp 35.8K
0.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99Rp 17.6K
$0.66Rp 11.7K
50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,202
$0.47Rp 8,368
-12.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92Rp 34.1K
$2.77Rp 49.2K
-30.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.23Rp 447.8K
$20.17Rp 358.0K
25.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77Rp 31.5K
$1.78Rp 31.5K
-0.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92Rp 51.8K
$3.07Rp 54.5K
-4.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33Rp 5,838
$0.26Rp 4,596
26.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52Rp 9,257
$0.51Rp 9,072
1.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,648
$0.37Rp 6,570
16.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.76Rp 49.0K
$3.24Rp 57.5K
-14.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.6K
$0.83Rp 14.8K
-7.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KRp 440.2M
$23.9KRp 423.9M
3.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5KRp 576.7M
$28.7KRp 509.0M
13.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.6Rp 1.5M
$70.1Rp 1.2M
23.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.68Rp 83.1K
$4.79Rp 85.1K
-2.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.47Rp 345.5K
$22.18Rp 393.6K
-12.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.72Rp 332.2K
$20.21Rp 358.7K
-7.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96Rp 123.5K
$9.45Rp 167.7K
-26.35%
Cinema Ticket
$2.70Rp 47.9K
$3.21Rp 57.0K
-15.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$283Rp 5.0M
$104Rp 1.8M
171.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,866Rp 175.1M
$8,681Rp 154.1M
13.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.9Rp 1.3M
$44.85Rp 795.9K
60.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.23Rp 714.0K
$32.30Rp 573.2K
24.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0Rp 1.5M
$66.6Rp 1.2M
24.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.9Rp 1.3M
$72.8Rp 1.3M
4.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$282Rp 5.0M
$233Rp 4.1M
20.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150Rp 2.7M
$162Rp 2.9M
-7.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,256Rp 22.3M
$613Rp 10.9M
104.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$619Rp 11.0M
$356Rp 6.3M
74.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,218Rp 39.4M
$1,177Rp 20.9M
88.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,072Rp 19.0M
$623Rp 11.1M
72.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surabaya
Jayapura
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$277Rp 4.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
9.46
-20.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surabaya: September 15, 2026
Last update for Jayapura: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $282 in Surabaya and $233 in Jayapura. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Surabaya vs $10.00 in Jayapura for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $211 vs $197 per month, with Jayapura 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 Jayapura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jayapura cheaper than Surabaya?
Jayapura is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,015 in Surabaya and $980 in Jayapura 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 Surabaya and Jayapura?
Rent for a central apartment: $282 in Surabaya versus $233 in Jayapura. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Surabaya and in Jayapura?
Supermarket bills run roughly 7% 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 Jayapura?
All in, you'll spend $676 per month in Surabaya versus $653 in Jayapura – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Surabaya or Jayapura?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Jayapura 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 Jayapura?
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 Jayapura gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Surabaya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.