Genoa
Italy
4/6
Budget$1,555
Internet100 Mbps
Vibe7/10
Side-by-side city decision
Genoa vs Surabaya.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
GenoaItaly4
VS
SurabayaIndonesia1
$1,555Genoa monthly budget
$570Surabaya monthly budget
100 MbpsGenoa internet
25 MbpsSurabaya internet
Decision summary
Genoa
Genoa leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Surabaya
Speed
Fastest internet
Genoa
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
Tie
Safety
Highest safety
Genoa
Air
Cleanest air
Genoa
Walk
Most walkable
Genoa
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Surabaya
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.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsTotal estimated budget
$1,555
$570
1-bed center rent
$900
$250
Coworking desk
$170
$60
Local meal
$16
$2.5
Cappuccino
$1.4
$1.8
Gym membership
$45
$25
Transport budget
$55
$20
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsInternet speed
100 Mbps
25 Mbps
Nomad vibe
7/10
7/10
Quality of life
5 signalsSafety index
70/100
65/100
Air quality
60/100
55/100
Walkability
7/10
6/10
Female safety
7/10
6/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
7/10
4/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsHealthcare quality
Good
Average
English proficiency
Average
Basic
Climate type
Mediterranean
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.
Genoa
Italy
Strengths
- Rich maritime history
- Excellent seafood
- Affordable compared to Milan/Rome
- Great hiking nearby
- Vibrant old town
- Good train connections
Trade-offs
- Hilly terrain can be tiring
- Limited nightlife
- Some neighborhoods are run-down
- Bureaucracy can be slow
- Air quality in port area
- English not widely spoken outside tourist zones
Common visa routes
- Schengen Tourist Visa (90 days)
- Italian Digital Nomad Visa (1 year)
- Elective Residence Visa (for retirees)
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.