Side-by-side city decision # Nice vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link NiceFrance5/6 VS SurabayaIndonesia1/6 $2,325Nice monthly budget $585Surabaya monthly budget 230 MbpsNice internet 55 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary Nice Nice leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet Nice Vibe Best nomad vibe Nice Safety Highest safety Nice Air Cleanest air Nice Walk Most walkable Nice Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Nice](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/nice.md) France 5/6 Budget$2,325 Internet230 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia 1/6 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. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricNiceSurabaya Total estimated budget $2,325 $585 1-bed center rent $1,500 $260 Coworking desk $320 $95 Local meal $18.5 $1.8 Cappuccino $3.8 $2.2 Gym membership $55 $28 Transport budget $45 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricNiceSurabaya Internet speed 230 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricNiceSurabaya Safety index 68/100 62/100 Air quality 76/100 58/100 Walkability 9/10 4/10 Female safety 7/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricNiceSurabaya Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Mediterranean Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Apr - Jun 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. [Nice](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/nice.md) France → ### Strengths * Sunny Mediterranean climate with mild winters * Highly walkable center and an excellent tram network * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Easy access to beaches, mountains, Monaco, and Italy * Strong healthcare infrastructure and safe drinking water * International atmosphere with good English in tourist-facing areas ### Trade-offs * Rents are high, especially near the sea and during summer * Summer crowds and short-term rentals make housing searches difficult * French is important for administration, leases, and daily integration * Restaurant, nightlife, and beach-club prices add up quickly * Petty theft can occur around the station, beach, and tourist zones * The city can feel quiet for networking outside the tourist season ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free stay, up to 90 days in any 180-day period * France long-stay visitor visa for stays over 90 days without local employment * French Talent Passport or work-based residence permit for eligible employed or self-employed professionals [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) 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.