Side-by-side city decision # Austin vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link 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. [Austin](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/austin.md) United States 4/6 Budget$2,520 Internet200 Mbps Vibe8/10 [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 $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 signals Internet speed 200 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety 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 signals Healthcare 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](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/austin.md) 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](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.