# Surabaya vs Shantou Detailed side-by-side comparison of living costs, infrastructure, safety, and nomad lifestyle. * Share Copy link πŸ”₯ Top Nomad Vibe ### [Thailand](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/thailand.md) [Indonesia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia.md) [Spain](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain.md) [Portugal](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal.md) [Mexico](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/mexico.md) [Vietnam](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/vietnam.md) [Colombia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia.md) [Argentina](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/argentina.md) [Malaysia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/malaysia.md) [Philippines](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines.md) [TΓΌrkiye](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/turkey.md) [Croatia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/croatia.md) [Georgia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/georgia.md) ## πŸ† Who Wins? πŸ’° Best Budget Surabaya 🌐 Fastest Internet Shantou πŸ”₯ Best Vibe Surabaya πŸ›‘οΈ Safest City Shantou 🌿 Cleanest Air 🀝 Tie 🚢 Most Walkable 🀝 Tie It's a Tie! Show differences only Metric [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) [Indonesia](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia.md) [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) [China](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china.md) πŸ’° Monthly Budget & Costs Total Est. Budget $570 $800 1-Bed Center Rent $250 $350 Coworking Desk $60 $200 Local Meal $2.5 $3 Cappuccino $1.8 $3.5 Gym Membership $25 $30 Transport Budget $20 $40 πŸ’» Workspace & Infrastructure Internet Speed 25 Mbps 80 Mbps Nomad Vibe 7/10 6/10 🌿 Quality of Life & Culture Safety Index 65/100 70/100 Healthcare Quality Average Average English Proficiency Basic Basic Climate Type Tropical monsoon Subtropical monsoon Best Time to Visit Apr - Oct Oct - Dec ## [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) ### πŸ‘ Pros βœ… Extremely low cost of living, especially for housing and food * βœ… Excellent street food scene with diverse local cuisine * βœ… Friendly and welcoming local community * βœ… Good base for exploring East Java (Mount Bromo, Malang) * βœ… Reliable 4G/LTE coverage across the city * βœ… Less touristy than Bali, offering authentic Indonesian culture ### πŸ‘Ž Cons * ❌ 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 ### πŸ›‚ Nomad Visas * β–ͺ Visa on Arrival (30 days, extendable) * β–ͺ B211A Social-Business Visa (60 days) * β–ͺ B211B Digital Nomad Visa (6 months) ## [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) ### πŸ‘ Pros * βœ… Extremely affordable cost of living * βœ… Delicious and cheap seafood * βœ… Less crowded than Guangzhou or Shenzhen * βœ… Coastal location with pleasant sea breezes * βœ… Rich Teochew culture and cuisine * βœ… Good public transport within the city ### πŸ‘Ž Cons * ❌ Limited English spoken outside tourist areas * ❌ Air quality can be poor in industrial zones * ❌ Few dedicated coworking spaces for nomads * ❌ Small expat community with fewer networking events * ❌ Tap water is not safe to drink * ❌ Visa runs require planning and paperwork ### πŸ›‚ Nomad Visas * β–ͺ Tourist Visa (L) * β–ͺ Business Visa (M) * β–ͺ Student Visa (X)