Karachi vs. Surabaya: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Overview

Karachi and Surabaya represent vastly different urban environments in terms of scale, economic structure, and quality of life metrics. Karachi, with a significantly larger population of approximately 20 million compared to Surabaya's 6.5 million, reflects a larger, more complex metropolis. However, Surabaya demonstrates superior performance across several quality-of-life indicators, including safety, healthcare, and environmental cleanliness, as evidenced by its higher Quality of Life Index (104.89 vs. 79.99). This difference is particularly notable in areas like safety (63.09 vs. 30.00) and healthcare access (68.89 vs. 59.99). While Karachi offers lower daily living expenses, its overall quality metrics suggest a more challenging urban environment. Surabaya presents a more expensive lifestyle but with potentially higher satisfaction in key quality-of-life dimensions.

Economic Factors & Housing

Karachi shows a lower average net monthly salary ($1,200 vs. $2,988) but also significantly lower costs for major purchases. The Property Price to Income Ratio in Karachi (1.9) is considerably lower than in Surabaya (28.7), indicating that housing represents a smaller proportion of income in Karachi. However, this doesn't tell the full story. Karachi's GDP per capita is lower ($10,000 vs. $14,000), suggesting a different economic structure. For those considering long-term investment or career opportunities, Surabaya's lower mortgage interest rate (7.5% vs. 9.0%) could be advantageous despite the higher purchase price. Karachi offers greater affordability for housing and daily goods, but Surabaya presents a more robust economic profile with higher purchasing power and potentially better investment returns over time.

Quality of Life

Surabaya significantly outperforms Karachi in quality-of-life metrics. The city's Safety Index (63.09) is considerably higher than Karachi's (30.00), suggesting a safer living environment. Healthcare access is also superior in Surabaya (68.89) compared to Karachi's (59.99). Environmental quality, measured by the Pollution Index (55.91 vs. 105.00), is vastly superior in Surabaya. While Karachi's Climate Index (55.68) is slightly better than its overall environmental score, Surabaya's Climate Commute Time Index (32.84) is marginally better than Karachi's (40.00). These differences translate to tangible daily experiences, with Surabaya offering cleaner air and potentially more comfortable climatic conditions for daily activities.

Transportation & Utilities

Karachi demonstrates a clear advantage in transportation costs. Daily gasoline expenses are substantially lower ($0.48 vs. $0.76 per liter), and public transport is significantly cheaper ($0.13 vs. $0.22 per ride). However, Surabaya offers a slight edge in commute efficiency, with a lower Traffic Commute Time Index (32.84 vs. 40.00). Monthly utility costs are comparable ($70.00 vs. $72.01), but internet access presents a stark contrast, with Karachi's unlimited broadband costing $13.33 versus Surabaya's $13.42 – a negligible difference that doesn't impact daily usability. The choice between these cities may depend more on transportation budget priorities than on utility or internet access.

Childcare, Education & Leisure

Surabaya presents a significantly more expensive option for families, particularly for early childhood education. Preschool costs are substantially higher ($892.62 vs. $120.00 per month), reflecting different educational standards or market dynamics. This difference is particularly relevant for families with young children. Leisure activities also show marked differences, with tennis court rentals being much more affordable in Surabaya ($5.10 vs. $100.00 per hour). Cinema tickets are also considerably cheaper ($0.89 vs. $13.33). These differences in recreational costs further contribute to the overall higher cost of living in Surabaya compared to Karachi.

Climate Index

71.3 / 55.7

Cost of Living Index

21.4 / 27.2

Karachi   Surabaya

Health Care Index

57.6 / 68.9

Pollution Index

89.6 / 55.9

Karachi   Surabaya

Property Price to Income Ratio

17.8 / 28.7

Purchasing Power Index

26.9 / 30.8

Karachi   Surabaya

Quality of Life Index

78.1 / 104.9

Safety Index

42.5 / 63.1

Karachi   Surabaya

Traffic Commute Time Index

42.1 / 32.8

Karachi   Surabaya