Surabaya
Surabaya has real challenges — read the full breakdown before deciding.
Quick answer
Surabaya, Indonesia scores 43/100 on the WhereNext city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport). Estimated single-person monthly cost is around $900/mo (a central 1-bed runs ~$300/mo). Safety index 52/100; healthcare 48/100; internet 35 Mbps. Top neighborhoods: Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
Key facts
- ~$900/mo single-person estimated cost of living · 1-bed center $300/mo.
- Safety: 52/100 moderately safe city by composite safety index.
- Healthcare: 48/100 below-average healthcare access.
- Internet: 35 Mbps median fixed broadband download — adequate for remote work.
- Top neighborhoods Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs — researched expat-friendly areas.
City composite
Below peers
- Surabaya
- 43/100
- Indonesia avg
- 51/100
- Global avg
- 63/100
Compared against 4 indexed cities in Indonesia and 380 indexed cities globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport, air quality) · updated
The short version
How much does it cost?
~$900/mo for a single person. A central 1-bed is ~$300/mo. Outside the center: ~$180/mo.
Is it safe?
Safety score: 52/100. Exercise caution — research neighborhoods carefully.
Can I work remotely?
Internet: 35 Mbps avg. Consider coworking spaces for reliable connectivity. Coworking: ~$60/mo.
What's the climate like?
Climate score: 55/100. Moderate climate with distinct seasons.
The honest take
What's great
- Climate — scored 55/100
- Safety — scored 52/100
- Healthcare — scored 48/100
Watch out for
- Cost of Living — scored 25/100
- Air Quality — scored 35/100
- Transport — scored 40/100
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Surabaya
Strengths
- Lifestyle55/100
- Safety52/100
- Healthcare48/100
Likely blockers
Cost may stretch typical budgets
Run the free Retirement Budget calculatorInfrastructure trails comparable destinations
Re-rank destinations against your priorities
Decision Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance. Scores are out of 100, higher is better.
Monthly Reality Check
What things actually cost in Surabaya. Estimated total: ~$900/mo for a single person.
Based on verified local pricing data
1-bed apartment (centre)
$300
1-bed apartment (outside)
$180
Budget meal
$2
Cappuccino
$2.2
Monthly transport pass
$10
Coworking space
$60/mo
Avg internet speed
35 Mbps
Neighborhoods
Where expats and locals actually live in Surabaya.
Housing reality: Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
Premium Report
Get Real Data for Surabaya
This city's scores are estimated from national data. A Decision Brief gives you verified local prices, neighborhoods, visa timelines, and a personalized relocation plan — researched specifically for Surabaya.
Deep Research
Expand any section for detailed data and narrative.
Transport & Getting Around
Transport & Getting Around
Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Monthly transport pass: $10
Indonesia — Policy & Systems
Indonesia — Policy & Systems
Visa, tax, healthcare, and education policies are set at the national level. See the Indonesia country guide for full details.
Language & Expat Community
Language & Expat Community
Official Languages
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
English Proficiency
Low
Foreign-born
0.1%
Expat Level
Low
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surabaya a good place to live for expats?
Surabaya scores 43/100 overall. It is very affordable (~$900/mo), moderately safe, and has a healthcare score of 48/100. Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
What does it cost to live in Surabaya?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Surabaya is ~$900 for a single person. A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs about $300/mo. Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
What are the best neighborhoods in Surabaya?
The most recommended neighborhoods are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.
How do I get around Surabaya?
Surabaya has a transport score of 40/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Surabaya, Indonesia City Profile 2026 (2026-05-20). Derived from: Numbeo (city-level cost; verified via WhereNext audit); World Bank ICP (country-level PPP anchor); OECD + Eurostat (where applicable); WhereNext flagship-city research (qualitative + neighborhood depth). Available at https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Surabaya, Indonesia City Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Surabaya, Indonesia City Profile 2026." WhereNext, 20 May 2026, https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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author = {{WhereNext}},
title = {WhereNext Surabaya, Indonesia City Profile 2026},
year = {2026},
url = {https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation},
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}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/city/id/surabaya?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Surabaya, Indonesia City Profile 2026</a>
Next step
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.