Side-by-side city decision # Brussels vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link BrusselsBelgium4 VS SurabayaIndonesia1 $1,550Brussels monthly budget $570Surabaya monthly budget 55 MbpsBrussels internet 25 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary Brussels Brussels leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet Brussels Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Brussels Air Cleanest air Brussels Walk Most walkable Brussels Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Brussels](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/brussels.md) Belgium 4/6 Budget$1,550 Internet55 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia 1/6 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 $1,550 $570 1-bed center rent $1,100 $250 Coworking desk $200 $60 Local meal $15 $2.5 Cappuccino $3.5 $1.8 Gym membership $40 $25 Transport budget $50 $20 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 55 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 70/100 65/100 Air quality 60/100 55/100 Walkability 8/10 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 Good Basic Climate type Temperate oceanic 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. [Brussels](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/brussels.md) Belgium → ### Strengths * Central European hub with great connectivity * Multilingual and multicultural environment * Excellent public transport and walkability * High-quality healthcare system * Rich history, architecture, and food scene * Strong expat and digital nomad community ### Trade-offs * High cost of living compared to other European capitals * Cold, grey winters with limited sunlight * Complex bureaucracy for residence permits * High income taxes for residents * Limited late-night dining and nightlife options * French/Dutch language barriers in daily life ### Common visa routes * Schengen 90-day tourist visa * Long-stay visa (D-visa) for work/study * EU Blue Card for skilled professionals [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.