Austin
United States
4/6
Budget$2,720
Internet255 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 States4/6
VS
SurabayaIndonesia2/6
$2,720Austin monthly budget
$585Surabaya monthly budget
255 MbpsAustin internet
55 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
Surabaya
Air
Cleanest air
Austin
Walk
Most walkable
Austin
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Surabaya
Indonesia
2/6
Budget$585
Internet55 Mbps
Vibe6/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsMetricAustinSurabaya
Total estimated budget
$2,720
$585
1-bed center rent
$1,650
$260
Coworking desk
$375
$95
Local meal
$19
$1.8
Cappuccino
$5.4
$2.2
Gym membership
$65
$28
Transport budget
$120
$45
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsMetricAustinSurabaya
Internet speed
255 Mbps
55 Mbps
Nomad vibe
8/10
6/10
Quality of life
5 signalsMetricAustinSurabaya
Safety index
58/100
62/100
Air quality
72/100
58/100
Walkability
6/10
4/10
Female safety
7/10
6/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
9/10
4/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsMetricAustinSurabaya
Healthcare quality
Excellent
Good
English proficiency
Excellent
Basic
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Tropical monsoon
Best time to visit
Mar - May
May - Sep
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
- Large, welcoming remote-work and startup community
- Fast home fiber, strong 5G, and abundant cafes
- Excellent live music, food trucks, and outdoor activities
- No Texas state income tax
- Friendly, English-speaking environment with easy cashless payments
- High-quality hospitals and broad service availability
Trade-offs
- Housing remains expensive despite recent rent moderation
- Summer heat can be intense and prolonged
- Traffic is heavy and public transit coverage is limited
- Car ownership or frequent ride-hailing is often necessary
- Property crime and vehicle break-ins require caution
- US healthcare and insurance costs can be very high
Common visa routes
- Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for eligible nationalities, up to 90 days
- B-1/B-2 visitor visa, typically up to six months per entry at officer discretion
- O-1 or employment-sponsored visa for qualifying long-term professional work
Surabaya
Indonesia
Strengths
- Very affordable everyday costs
- Excellent East Javanese food scene
- Reliable mobile data and growing fiber coverage
- Major hospitals and modern shopping centers
- Convenient base for exploring East Java
- Less tourist-saturated than Bali
Trade-offs
- Heavy traffic and limited pedestrian infrastructure
- Hot, humid weather year-round
- English is not widely spoken outside modern districts
- Air quality can worsen during the dry season
- Smaller international nomad community than Bali or Jakarta
- Tap water is not safe to drink
Common visa routes
- Visa on Arrival
- B211A Visit Visa
- E33G Remote Worker Visa
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.