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Surabaya vs Yogyakarta cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฎ๐ฉ Surabaya
๐ฎ๐ฉ Yogyakarta
At a glance
- Where Yogyakarta is clearly cheaper: Transit (30%โ), Haircut (25%โ), Massage (17%โ)
- Where Surabaya is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (50%โ), Entry ticket (40%โ), Half-day tour (29%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Surabaya is easier to travel (2.4 vs 2.6). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Surabaya 2 vs Yogyakarta 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Surabaya | Yogyakarta | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rp 20,000$1.23 | Rp 24,000$1.47 | Surabaya โ17% |
| Street food1 item | Rp 15,000$0.92 | Rp 15,000$0.92 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rp 100,000$6.13 | Rp 90,000$5.52 | Yogyakarta โ10% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Rp 30,000$1.84 | Yogyakarta โ14% |
| Beerone bottle | Rp 45,000$2.76 | Rp 41,000$2.52 | Yogyakarta โ9% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rp 110,000$6.75 | Rp 110,000$6.75 | similar |
| Bottled water | Rp 4,000$0.25 | Rp 4,900$0.3 | Surabaya โ18% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rp 8,000$0.49 | Rp 8,000$0.49 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rp 28,000$1.72 | Rp 32,000$1.96 | Surabaya โ12% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rp 12,000$0.74 | Rp 24,000$1.47 | Surabaya โ50% |
| Transitone ride | Rp 5,000$0.31 | Rp 3,500$0.21 | Yogyakarta โ30% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rp 80,000$4.91 | Rp 98,000$6.01 | Surabaya โ18% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rp 450,000$27.6 | Rp 490,000$30.1 | Surabaya โ8% |
| Studio rent (month) | Rp 3,000,000$184 | Rp 3,000,000$184 | similar |
| Laundry | Rp 8,000$0.49 | Rp 8,000$0.49 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | Rp 75,000$4.6 | Rp 98,000$6.01 | Surabaya โ23% |
| Haircutcut | Rp 40,000$2.45 | Rp 30,000$1.84 | Yogyakarta โ25% |
| Massage1 hour | Rp 120,000$7.36 | Rp 100,000$6.13 | Yogyakarta โ17% |
| Half-day tourper person | Rp 250,000$15.3 | Rp 350,000$21.5 | Surabaya โ29% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rp 15,000$0.92 | Rp 25,000$1.53 | Surabaya โ40% |
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%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Surabaya or Yogyakarta?
Surabaya and Yogyakarta cost about the same. Daily budget $46.7 vs $49.3; a month $738 vs $744.
Which is easier to travel, Surabaya or Yogyakarta?
Surabaya is easier: Surabaya 2.4/5 vs Yogyakarta 2.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Surabaya and Yogyakarta?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Surabaya is about $738 and Yogyakarta about $744 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
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.