Side-by-side city decision # Wellington vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link WellingtonNew Zealand5/6 VS SurabayaIndonesia1/6 $2,195Wellington monthly budget $585Surabaya monthly budget 310 MbpsWellington internet 55 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary Wellington Wellington leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet Wellington Vibe Best nomad vibe Wellington Safety Highest safety Wellington Air Cleanest air Wellington Walk Most walkable Wellington Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Wellington](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/wellington.md) New Zealand 5/6 Budget$2,195 Internet310 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 MetricWellingtonSurabaya Total estimated budget $2,195 $585 1-bed center rent $1,300 $260 Coworking desk $280 $95 Local meal $16.5 $1.8 Cappuccino $3.6 $2.2 Gym membership $50 $28 Transport budget $95 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricWellingtonSurabaya Internet speed 310 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricWellingtonSurabaya Safety index 74/100 62/100 Air quality 88/100 58/100 Walkability 8/10 4/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 9/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricWellingtonSurabaya Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Temperate oceanic Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Dec - Mar 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. [Wellington](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/wellington.md) New Zealand → ### Strengths * Fast, reliable fibre internet and strong mobile coverage * Highly walkable compact central city * Excellent coffee, food, arts, and film culture * English-speaking environment with easy cashless payments * Clean air, safe tap water, and access to nature * Inclusive and socially progressive community ### Trade-offs * Housing is expensive and good rentals are competitive * Windy weather can be relentless, especially in spring * Groceries, dining out, and imported goods cost a lot * Small city means fewer networking events than Auckland * Earthquake risk requires basic preparedness * Public transport can be disrupted by weather or industrial action ### Common visa routes * Visitor Visa * Working Holiday Visa * Accredited Employer Work Visa [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.