😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $687 in Surabaya versus $657 in Sidoarjo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,113 in Surabaya versus $997 in Sidoarjo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,540 in Surabaya versus $1,337 in Sidoarjo.
🌍Living in Surabaya is roughly 5% more expensive than in Sidoarjo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Surabaya49% lower, Sidoarjo51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$1.57Rp 28.2K
0.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.41Rp 222.6K
$12.45Rp 223.3K
-0.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.09Rp 55.4K
$2.99Rp 53.6K
3.34%
Cappuccino
$1.78Rp 32.0K
$0.58Rp 10.4K
206.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61Rp 10.9K
$0.47Rp 8,356
29.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,043
$0.26Rp 4,618
7.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.52Rp 45.2K
$2.39Rp 43.0K
5.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91Rp 70.2K
$3.89Rp 69.8K
0.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$1.42Rp 25.5K
-2.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
34.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.8K
$0.93Rp 16.7K
1.08%
Eggs
$1.52Rp 27.3K
$1.43Rp 25.6K
6.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26Rp 166.1K
$9.24Rp 165.8K
0.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.34Rp 59.9K
$2.64Rp 47.3K
26.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.17Rp 146.5K
$6.32Rp 113.4K
29.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 41.1K
$0.94Rp 16.8K
143.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.8K
$0.64Rp 11.4K
142.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19Rp 39.3K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
184.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$0.64Rp 11.4K
126.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$0.79Rp 14.1K
74.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.78Rp 32.0K
$1.12Rp 20.1K
58.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.15Rp 20.7K
$0.30Rp 5,346
283.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,244
$0.43Rp 7,657
6.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.54Rp 45.6K
$2.18Rp 39.1K
16.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.47Rp 456.8K
$24.74Rp 443.6K
2.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80Rp 32.3K
$1.77Rp 31.8K
1.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27Rp 58.7K
$3.20Rp 57.5K
2.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47Rp 8,500
$0.32Rp 5,800
46.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.17Rp 164.5K
$9.94Rp 178.4K
-7.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 7,993
$0.48Rp 8,659
-6.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,573
$0.31Rp 5,635
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.70Rp 48.4K
$1.24Rp 22.3K
117.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82Rp 14.6K
$0.77Rp 13.9K
6.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9KRp 375.5M
$20.7KRp 371.0M
1.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9KRp 625.3M
$34.8KRp 624.6M
0.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.2Rp 1.5M
$81.8Rp 1.5M
1.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.12Rp 74.0K
$4.22Rp 75.7K
-2.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.34Rp 346.8K
$12.18Rp 218.4K
58.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.77Rp 390.4K
$23.39Rp 419.5K
-6.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.46Rp 79.9K
$6.24Rp 111.9K
-28.53%
Cinema Ticket
$2.89Rp 51.9K
$2.88Rp 51.6K
0.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$186Rp 3.3M
$188Rp 3.4M
-1.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,359Rp 167.9M
$9,435Rp 169.2M
-0.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.0Rp 1.1M
$61.0Rp 1.1M
0.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.67Rp 693.5K
$38.68Rp 693.7K
-0.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.0Rp 1.4M
$79.1Rp 1.4M
-2.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.2Rp 1.5M
$82.4Rp 1.5M
-0.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$248Rp 4.4M
$261Rp 4.7M
-4.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$134Rp 2.4M
$155Rp 2.8M
-13.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$784Rp 14.1M
$582Rp 10.4M
34.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$402Rp 7.2M
$339Rp 6.1M
18.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,205Rp 39.6M
$1,180Rp 21.2M
86.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,058Rp 19.0M
$703Rp 12.6M
50.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surabaya
Sidoarjo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$268Rp 4.8M
-
-
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 Surabaya: July 21, 2026
Last update for Sidoarjo: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $248 in Surabaya and $261 in Sidoarjo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Surabaya vs $12.00 in Sidoarjo. Groceries flip the comparison at $228 vs $185, with Sidoarjo cheaper for home cooking.
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 Sidoarjo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sidoarjo cheaper than Surabaya?
Sidoarjo is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,031 in Surabaya and $985 in Sidoarjo 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 Sidoarjo?
Rent for a central apartment: $248 in Surabaya versus $261 in Sidoarjo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Surabaya and in Sidoarjo?
All in, you'll spend $687 per month in Surabaya versus $657 in Sidoarjo – a 5% 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 8% 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 Surabaya or Sidoarjo?
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 Surabaya or in Sidoarjo?
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 5% less than in Surabaya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.