Surabaya vs Bandung
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Surabaya leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Bandung where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Bandung's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Surabaya | Bandung |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 55 | 64 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 42 | 43 |
| Climate | 78 | 100 |
| Safety | 49 | 55 |
| Summer °C | 28.5 | 21.1 |
| Winter °C | 26.5 | 20.0 |
| Top disaster risk | storms (hurricane/cyclone) | earthquake |
Surabaya vs Bandung: the short answer
Bandung comes out ahead on overall livability (64/100), clearly above Surabaya (55/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Bandung is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Surabaya 42 vs Bandung 43, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Surabaya runs warmer in summer (about 28.5°C peak vs 21.1°C in Bandung), while winter lows sit near 26.5°C in Surabaya and 20.0°C in Bandung. On natural-disaster exposure Bandung is the safer choice (safety 55/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Surabaya and earthquake for Bandung.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Bandung — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Surabaya — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Bandung — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Bandung — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Surabaya or Bandung better to live in?
Bandung scores higher overall — 64 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Surabaya or Bandung?
Bandung has the lower cost of living (cost index 43 vs 42; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Surabaya or Bandung?
Surabaya — summer highs reach about 28.5°C versus 21.1°C in Bandung.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Surabaya or Bandung?
Bandung (disaster-safety 55/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Surabaya, earthquake in Bandung.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Surabaya?
storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Surabaya on our risk index.
How is the Surabaya vs Bandung comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.