Austin
United States
4/6
Budget$2,520
Internet200 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Side-by-side city decision
Austin vs Surabaya.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
AustinUnited States4
VS
SurabayaIndonesia2
$2,520Austin monthly budget
$570Surabaya monthly budget
200 MbpsAustin internet
25 MbpsSurabaya internet
Decision summary
Austin
Austin leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Surabaya
Speed
Fastest internet
Austin
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
Austin
Safety
Highest safety
Austin
Air
Cleanest air
Austin
Walk
Most walkable
Surabaya
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Surabaya
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.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsTotal estimated budget
$2,520
$570
1-bed center rent
$1,600
$250
Coworking desk
$300
$60
Local meal
$15
$2.5
Cappuccino
$5
$1.8
Gym membership
$50
$25
Transport budget
$120
$20
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsInternet speed
200 Mbps
25 Mbps
Nomad vibe
8/10
7/10
Quality of life
5 signalsSafety index
70/100
65/100
Air quality
60/100
55/100
Walkability
5/10
6/10
Female safety
7/10
6/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
8/10
4/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsHealthcare quality
Good
Average
English proficiency
Excellent
Basic
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Tropical monsoon
Best time to visit
Mar - May, Sep - Nov
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.
Austin
United States
Strengths
- Vibrant live music scene
- Major tech hub with great job opportunities
- No state income tax
- Excellent food scene including BBQ and tacos
- Outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake
- Friendly and welcoming locals
Trade-offs
- Extreme summer heat with temperatures above 38°C
- High rent prices, especially in central neighborhoods
- Heavy reliance on cars for commuting
- Traffic congestion on I-35 and Mopac during rush hours
- Limited public transit options compared to other major cities
- High humidity during summer months
Common visa routes
- B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
- ESTA (Visa Waiver)
- H-1B Work Visa
Surabaya
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.