Side-by-side city decision # Annecy vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link AnnecyFrance3 VS SurabayaIndonesia2 $1,605Annecy monthly budget $570Surabaya monthly budget 100 MbpsAnnecy internet 25 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary Annecy Annecy leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet Annecy Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Annecy Air Cleanest air Surabaya Walk Most walkable Annecy Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Annecy](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/annecy.md) France 3/6 Budget$1,605 Internet100 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia 2/6 Budget$570 Internet25 Mbps Vibe7/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $1,605 $570 1-bed center rent $950 $250 Coworking desk $250 $60 Local meal $16 $2.5 Cappuccino $3.8 $1.8 Gym membership $45 $25 Transport budget $55 $20 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 100 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 78/100 65/100 Air quality 45/100 55/100 Walkability 8/10 6/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Excellent Average English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Humid continental (Alpine influence) Tropical monsoon Best time to visit May - Sep Apr - Oct Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Annecy](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/annecy.md) France → ### Strengths * Breathtaking alpine lake and mountain scenery * Exceptionally safe and clean city * Excellent healthcare system * Walkable historic center with canals * Outdoor activities year-round (hiking, skiing, water sports) * Well-connected to Geneva and Chamonix ### Trade-offs * High cost of living, especially rent * Limited English proficiency outside tourist areas * Can feel overcrowded with tourists in summer * Nightlife is quiet compared to larger French cities * Winters are cold and overcast * Co-working spaces are limited and small ### Common visa routes * Schengen Tourist Visa (90/180 days) * Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) * French Tech Visa (for startup founders/employees) [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Extremely low cost of living, especially for housing and food * Excellent street food scene with diverse local cuisine * Friendly and welcoming local community * Good base for exploring East Java (Mount Bromo, Malang) * Reliable 4G/LTE coverage across the city * Less touristy than Bali, offering authentic Indonesian culture ### Trade-offs * Limited English proficiency outside business areas * Heavy traffic congestion during peak hours * High humidity and frequent rain in wet season * Public transportation is limited; motorbike or ride-hailing essential * Air quality can be poor due to vehicle emissions * Tap water is not drinkable; rely on bottled water ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival (30 days, extendable) * B211A Social-Business Visa (60 days) * B211B Digital Nomad Visa (6 months) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.