Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
Surabaya is easier to travel (2.4 vs 3.0). Biggest gap: language โ Rach Gia 4 vs Surabaya 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
| Item | Rach Gia | Surabaya | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โซ 35,000$1.33 | Rp 20,000$1.23 | Surabaya โ8% |
| Street food1 item | โซ 25,000$0.95 | Rp 15,000$0.92 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โซ 150,000$5.7 | Rp 100,000$6.13 | Rach Gia โ7% |
| Coffeeone cup | โซ 35,000$1.33 | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Rach Gia โ38% |
| Beerone bottle | โซ 25,000$0.95 | Rp 45,000$2.76 | Rach Gia โ66% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โซ 70,000$2.66 | Rp 110,000$6.75 | Rach Gia โ61% |
| Bottled water | โซ 6,000$0.23 | Rp 4,000$0.25 | Rach Gia โ7% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โซ 12,000$0.46 | Rp 8,000$0.49 | Rach Gia โ7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โซ 70,000$2.66 | Rp 28,000$1.72 | Surabaya โ35% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โซ 20,000$0.76 | Rp 12,000$0.74 | similar |
| Transitone ride | โซ 7,000$0.27 | Rp 5,000$0.31 | Rach Gia โ13% |
| Scooter rentalper day | โซ 120,000$4.56 | Rp 80,000$4.91 | Rach Gia โ7% |
| Hotel night3-star | โซ 650,000$24.7 | Rp 450,000$27.6 | Rach Gia โ10% |
| Studio rent (month) | โซ 5,000,000$190 | Rp 3,000,000$184 | similar |
| Laundry | โซ 20,000$0.76 | Rp 8,000$0.49 | Surabaya โ35% |
| SIM card1 week data | โซ 180,000$6.84 | Rp 75,000$4.6 | Surabaya โ33% |
| Haircutcut | โซ 50,000$1.9 | Rp 40,000$2.45 | Rach Gia โ23% |
| Massage1 hour | โซ 200,000$7.6 | Rp 120,000$7.36 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | โซ 400,000$15.2 | Rp 250,000$15.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โซ 20,000$0.76 | Rp 15,000$0.92 | Rach Gia โ17% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Rach Gia and Surabaya cost about the same. Daily budget $44.8 vs $46.7; a month $734 vs $738.
Surabaya is easier: Surabaya 2.4/5 vs Rach Gia 3.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Rach Gia is about $734 and Surabaya about $738 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.