Side-by-side city decision # San Francisco vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link San FranciscoUnited States4/6 VS SurabayaIndonesia2/6 $4,554San Francisco monthly budget $585Surabaya monthly budget 245 MbpsSan Francisco internet 55 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary San Francisco San Francisco leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet San Francisco Vibe Best nomad vibe San Francisco Safety Highest safety Surabaya Air Cleanest air San Francisco Walk Most walkable San Francisco Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [San Francisco](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/san-francisco.md) United States 4/6 Budget$4,554 Internet245 Mbps Vibe9/10 [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) 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. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricSan FranciscoSurabaya Total estimated budget $4,554 $585 1-bed center rent $3,200 $260 Coworking desk $500 $95 Local meal $24 $1.8 Cappuccino $5.8 $2.2 Gym membership $110 $28 Transport budget $104 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSan FranciscoSurabaya Internet speed 245 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 9/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSan FranciscoSurabaya Safety index 52/100 62/100 Air quality 75/100 58/100 Walkability 9/10 4/10 Female safety 6/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 10/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSan FranciscoSurabaya Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Mediterranean Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Sep - Nov 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. [San Francisco](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/san-francisco.md) United States → ### Strengths * World-class startup, technology, and creative-networking scene * Fast, reliable internet and abundant work-friendly cafes * Highly walkable neighborhoods with strong public transit coverage * Inclusive LGBTQ+ culture and diverse international community * Excellent restaurants, museums, parks, and nearby nature * Mild temperatures throughout most of the year ### Trade-offs * Housing costs are among the highest in the United States * Visible homelessness and property crime affect some districts * Microclimates mean fog, wind, and sudden temperature changes * Restaurant, sales, and service charges add up quickly * Steep hills can make walking and cycling demanding * US visitor status does not explicitly authorize remote work ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA for eligible nationals, up to 90 days * B-1/B-2 visitor visa, generally up to six months at admission * O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability [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.