Surabaya
Indonesia
2/6
Budget$585
Internet55 Mbps
Vibe6/10
Side-by-side city decision
Surabaya vs Austin.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
SurabayaIndonesia2/6
VS
AustinUnited States4/6
$585Surabaya monthly budget
$2,720Austin monthly budget
55 MbpsSurabaya internet
255 MbpsAustin 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
Surabaya
Air
Cleanest air
Austin
Walk
Most walkable
Austin
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Austin
United States
4/6
Budget$2,720
Internet255 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsMetricSurabayaAustin
Total estimated budget
$585
$2,720
1-bed center rent
$260
$1,650
Coworking desk
$95
$375
Local meal
$1.8
$19
Cappuccino
$2.2
$5.4
Gym membership
$28
$65
Transport budget
$45
$120
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsMetricSurabayaAustin
Internet speed
55 Mbps
255 Mbps
Nomad vibe
6/10
8/10
Quality of life
5 signalsMetricSurabayaAustin
Safety index
62/100
58/100
Air quality
58/100
72/100
Walkability
4/10
6/10
Female safety
6/10
7/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
4/10
9/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsMetricSurabayaAustin
Healthcare quality
Good
Excellent
English proficiency
Basic
Excellent
Climate type
Tropical monsoon
Humid subtropical
Best time to visit
May - Sep
Mar - May
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.
Surabaya
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
Austin
United States
Strengths
- Large, welcoming remote-work and startup community
- Fast home fiber, strong 5G, and abundant cafes
- Excellent live music, food trucks, and outdoor activities
- No Texas state income tax
- Friendly, English-speaking environment with easy cashless payments
- High-quality hospitals and broad service availability
Trade-offs
- Housing remains expensive despite recent rent moderation
- Summer heat can be intense and prolonged
- Traffic is heavy and public transit coverage is limited
- Car ownership or frequent ride-hailing is often necessary
- Property crime and vehicle break-ins require caution
- US healthcare and insurance costs can be very high
Common visa routes
- Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for eligible nationalities, up to 90 days
- B-1/B-2 visitor visa, typically up to six months per entry at officer discretion
- O-1 or employment-sponsored visa for qualifying long-term professional work
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.