Surabaya vs Ubud: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
The two cities are closely matched — lifestyle preference and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Surabaya is approximately 95% less expensive than Ubud based on cost of living including rent. This makes Surabaya a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Surabaya has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Surabaya is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Surabaya
Surabaya is the rare big city where a single adult can live on a budget tier total of $295/mo, with city center rent at $280/mo and a $2 plate of food, though the local average net salary of $273/mo shows how punishing that math is for anyone earning in rupiah. The trade-offs are real: an air quality index of 85, fair healthcare, limited English, and a retiree score of 53/100 mean this is not a soft landing. Digital nomads and FIRE chasers get the better deal here, with scores of 67/100 and 78/100 and a $19/mo internet plan, but the $2,000/mo income floor on both the retirement and remote worker visas prices out most of the people the rent would actually suit.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,612/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Ubud
Ubud is a bargain for renters who can live on local wages, but the numbers expose the catch: a $168/mo average net salary cannot touch $544/mo city-center rent, so this town runs on foreign income, not local opportunity. The $2,000/mo income floor on both the Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS) and the Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) tells you exactly who Ubud is built for. Internet at 20 Mbps and a 57/100 digital nomad score make remote work possible but not painless, and healthcare rated only Fair is the real long-term risk. Come for the $3 meals and $2 cappuccinos, stay only if you have a first-world paycheck and a high tolerance for humid, monsoon-soaked air.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,280/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
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| Metric | Surabaya | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $279.54 | $544.43 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $146.85 | $406.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1241.91 | $1935.77 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $608.94 | $1395.99 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 45Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Surabaya | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $413/mo | $736/mo |
| Excluding rent | $266/mo | $329/mo |
| Rent | $147/mo | $407/mo |
| Groceries | $87.00/mo | $113/mo |
| Dining out | $17.00/mo | $28.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $42.00/mo | $83.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $111/mo | $105/mo |
| Transport | $9.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Surabaya vs Ubud -- Frequently Asked Questions
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