Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Indonesia Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Indonesia Property Pack
If you're thinking about renting out property in Surabaya or just curious about what tenants are paying right now, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about current rental prices in Indonesia's second-largest city.
We update this article regularly to keep the numbers fresh and relevant for landlords, investors, and anyone exploring Surabaya's rental market in 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
Insights
- Studio apartments in Surabaya rent for around IDR 2.8 million per month on average, which is roughly 25% cheaper than similar units in Jakarta's satellite cities like Tangerang or Bekasi.
- West Surabaya neighborhoods like Citraland and Pakuwon Indah command 30% to 50% higher rents than older central districts because of their master-planned amenities and newer housing stock.
- Surabaya's rental vacancy rate sits between 6% and 9%, which is tighter than Jakarta's apartment market where vacancy often exceeds 15% in certain towers.
- Properties near ITS and Airlangga universities in Surabaya typically rent within 15 to 30 days, about twice as fast as the citywide average of 40 days.
- Rent growth in Surabaya for 2026 is projected at 3% to 6%, outpacing the city's general inflation rate and reflecting steady demand from young professionals and students.
- Furnished apartments in Surabaya typically command a 20% to 35% premium over unfurnished units, with the gap widening for shorter lease terms.
- Landlords in Surabaya can expect annual property taxes (PBB-P2) to range from IDR 500,000 to IDR 5 million depending on the property's assessed value and location band.
- The July to September period sees the highest tenant demand in Surabaya, driven by the academic calendar at major universities like ITS, Airlangga, and Petra Christian University.
What are typical rents in Surabaya as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Surabaya is around IDR 2.8 million, which works out to approximately $175 USD or €165 EUR.
Most studio rentals in Surabaya fall within a range of IDR 2.0 million to IDR 4.0 million per month (roughly $125 to $250 USD or €120 to €235 EUR), depending on the specific building and neighborhood.
The main factors that push studio rents up or down in Surabaya include whether the unit is in a newer West Surabaya development versus an older central building, the level of furnishing included, and proximity to major employment hubs or universities.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Surabaya is around IDR 3.8 million, which equals approximately $240 USD or €225 EUR.
The realistic range for most 1-bedroom apartments in Surabaya runs from IDR 2.5 million on the lower end to IDR 5.6 million at the higher end (roughly $155 to $350 USD or €145 to €330 EUR).
Neighborhoods like Rungkut and Sukomanunggal tend to have the cheapest 1-bedroom rents in Surabaya, while areas like Tegalsari, Darmo, and Pakuwon Indah command the highest prices for this apartment size.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Surabaya is around IDR 6.2 million, which translates to approximately $390 USD or €365 EUR.
Most 2-bedroom apartments in Surabaya rent within a range of IDR 4.5 million to IDR 9.0 million per month (roughly $280 to $565 USD or €265 to €530 EUR), with significant variation based on location and building quality.
The more affordable 2-bedroom options in Surabaya are typically found in Wonokromo and outer eastern districts, while Dukuh Pakis, Sambikerep (including Citraland), and Tegalsari host the most expensive 2-bedroom rentals.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
What's the average rent per square meter in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average rent per square meter for apartments in Surabaya is around IDR 95,000 per month, which equals approximately $6 USD or €5.50 EUR per square meter.
The realistic range for rent per square meter in Surabaya spans from IDR 70,000 to IDR 130,000 monthly (roughly $4.40 to $8.10 USD or €4.10 to €7.65 EUR), depending heavily on the neighborhood and building class.
Compared to Jakarta, where prime areas can reach IDR 150,000 to 200,000 per square meter, Surabaya offers notably better value while still being Indonesia's second-largest metropolitan rental market.
Properties that push rent per square meter above average in Surabaya typically feature newer construction, strong building management with good amenities like pools and gyms, and locations within master-planned developments like Pakuwon Indah or Citraland.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Surabaya in 2026?
As of January 2026, rents in Surabaya have increased by approximately 2% to 4% compared to the same period last year.
The main factors driving rent changes in Surabaya this year include steady demand from young professionals and students, moderate new supply coming online in West Surabaya, and the city's overall economic growth as Indonesia's eastern business hub.
This year's rent growth in Surabaya is roughly in line with 2025's trend, which also saw modest single-digit increases, reflecting a stable market without the sharp swings seen in some other Southeast Asian cities.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Surabaya in 2026?
As of January 2026, we project rent growth in Surabaya to land between 3% and 6% for the full year, with potential upside to 7% to 9% in the hottest micro-markets.
Key factors likely to influence Surabaya rent growth include Bank Indonesia's monetary policy and financing environment, continued migration of young workers to the city, and the pace of new apartment supply in West Surabaya developments.
Neighborhoods expected to see the strongest rent growth in Surabaya include Dukuh Pakis, Sambikerep (Citraland area), and areas near major universities like Sukolilo and Gubeng, where demand consistently outpaces available supply.
The main risks that could cause Surabaya rent growth to fall short of projections include aggressive discounting by landlords in oversupplied buildings, economic slowdowns affecting tenant incomes, or faster-than-expected new construction completions flooding certain submarkets.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Indonesia. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Surabaya as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the neighborhoods with the highest average rents in Surabaya are Dukuh Pakis and Wiyung (including Pakuwon Indah), Sambikerep (including Citraland), and the central Tegalsari and Darmo corridor, where monthly rents for quality apartments can reach IDR 8 million to 12 million ($500 to $750 USD or €470 to €705 EUR).
These Surabaya neighborhoods command premium rents because they offer newer housing stock, master-planned infrastructure with lifestyle amenities, strong security, and proximity to international schools and major shopping centers.
The typical tenant renting in these high-rent Surabaya neighborhoods includes affluent families, corporate executives on relocation packages, and expats who prioritize comfort, security, and modern amenities over central location.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Surabaya.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Surabaya right now?
The top three neighborhoods where young professionals prefer to rent in Surabaya are Gubeng (near business nodes and the main train station), Tegalsari (central with good lifestyle access), and Manyar in the Mulyorejo area (east-central with strong amenities).
Young professionals in these Surabaya neighborhoods typically pay between IDR 2.5 million and IDR 5.0 million per month ($155 to $315 USD or €145 to €295 EUR) for 1-bedroom apartments or studios.
These neighborhoods attract young professionals because of short commutes to Surabaya's main office districts, walkable access to cafes and restaurants, reliable public transport connections, and a good mix of affordable furnished units.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
Where do families prefer to rent in Surabaya right now?
The top three neighborhoods where families prefer to rent in Surabaya are Dukuh Pakis and Wiyung (bigger homes in gated clusters), Sambikerep including the Citraland area (master-planned living), and Sukomanunggal (west-central with practical commutes).
Families renting 2-3 bedroom homes in these Surabaya neighborhoods typically pay between IDR 6 million and IDR 15 million per month ($375 to $940 USD or €350 to €880 EUR), depending on whether they choose an apartment or a landed house.
These neighborhoods attract families because they offer larger floor plans, safe gated communities, green spaces for children, and easy access to grocery stores and everyday conveniences without heavy traffic.
The top-rated schools near these family-friendly Surabaya neighborhoods include Surabaya European School in Citraland, Singapore National Academy in Pakuwon, and several well-regarded national schools like SMA Negeri 5 and various private religious schools in the western corridor.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Surabaya in 2026?
As of January 2026, the three areas that rent fastest in Surabaya are Sukolilo and Keputih (near ITS university), Gubeng (near Universitas Airlangga and the main train station), and Siwalankerto and Gayungan (near Petra Christian University).
Properties in these high-demand Surabaya areas typically stay listed for only 15 to 30 days on average, compared to the citywide average of 40 days, because of consistent demand from students and university staff.
The rent premium for properties within walking distance of transit hubs or universities in Surabaya is typically 10% to 20% higher than comparable units further away, which works out to an extra IDR 300,000 to 700,000 per month ($20 to $45 USD or €18 to €40 EUR).
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Surabaya right now?
The top three neighborhoods most popular with expats in Surabaya are Darmo (central and established), Dukuh Pakis and Wiyung including Pakuwon Indah (newer west with larger homes), and Citraland in Sambikerep (master-planned and easy to navigate for newcomers).
Expats renting in these Surabaya neighborhoods typically pay between IDR 8 million and IDR 20 million per month ($500 to $1,250 USD or €470 to €1,175 EUR) for furnished apartments or houses with Western-standard finishes.
These neighborhoods attract expats because they offer English-friendly services, proximity to international schools, modern housing with reliable utilities, good security, and clustering of restaurants and amenities catering to international tastes.
The expat communities most represented in these Surabaya neighborhoods include Japanese, Korean, and Chinese nationals working in manufacturing and trade, as well as Europeans and Australians in management positions at multinational companies operating in East Java.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Surabaya.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Surabaya right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Surabaya?
The top three tenant profiles that dominate the rental market in Surabaya are young professionals working in the city's business districts, students and early-career renters near major universities, and families seeking larger homes in West Surabaya's master-planned communities.
Young professionals and students together account for roughly 55% to 65% of Surabaya's rental demand, while families represent about 25% to 30%, with the remaining 10% to 15% split between expats and short-term corporate relocations.
Young professionals typically seek 1-bedroom apartments near Gubeng or Tegalsari, students look for studios or shared housing near ITS or Airlangga, and families prioritize 2-3 bedroom landed houses or large apartments in Citraland or Pakuwon Indah.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Surabaya.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Surabaya?
In Surabaya, roughly 60% to 70% of apartment tenants prefer furnished units, while for landed houses the split reverses with about 70% of family renters preferring unfurnished properties they can customize themselves.
Furnished apartments in Surabaya typically command a rent premium of IDR 500,000 to IDR 1.5 million per month ($30 to $95 USD or €30 to €90 EUR) compared to unfurnished equivalents in the same building.
The tenant profiles that prefer furnished rentals in Surabaya include young professionals on shorter contracts, students who don't want the hassle of buying furniture, and expats or corporate transferees who need a move-in-ready setup.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Surabaya?
The top five amenities that increase rent the most in Surabaya are reliable parking with 24/7 security, quality air conditioning systems, fast internet readiness, swimming pool and gym access (for apartments), and modern kitchen and bathroom finishes.
Each of these amenities adds roughly IDR 200,000 to IDR 800,000 per month ($12 to $50 USD or €12 to €47 EUR) to the asking rent in Surabaya, with security and parking commanding the highest premiums in the city's car-dependent west side.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Surabaya?
The top five renovations that get the best ROI for rental properties in Surabaya are kitchen and bathroom refreshes, air conditioning upgrades, fresh paint and improved lighting, pest-proofing and insulation improvements, and adding or improving parking or carport space.
A kitchen or bathroom refresh in Surabaya typically costs IDR 5 million to IDR 15 million ($315 to $940 USD or €295 to €880 EUR) and can boost monthly rent by IDR 300,000 to IDR 800,000, while AC upgrades costing IDR 3 million to IDR 8 million can add IDR 200,000 to IDR 500,000 in monthly rent.
Renovations that tend to have poor ROI in Surabaya include overly luxurious finishes that exceed what typical tenants expect, major structural changes that don't add usable space, and swimming pool installations in landed houses where maintenance costs outweigh tenant appeal.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Indonesia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Surabaya as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the vacancy rate for rental properties in Surabaya sits between 6% and 9% citywide, which indicates a relatively healthy market with moderate competition for tenants.
Vacancy rates across different Surabaya neighborhoods range from as low as 3% to 5% in high-demand areas near universities and transit hubs, to 10% to 15% in oversupplied apartment towers or less convenient locations.
The current vacancy rate in Surabaya is roughly in line with its historical average over the past five years, suggesting the market has found a stable equilibrium without signs of major oversupply or shortage.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, rentals in Surabaya stay listed for an average of 25 to 55 days before finding a tenant, with well-priced properties in good locations often renting within 15 to 30 days.
Days on market varies significantly across Surabaya, with studios near universities renting in under three weeks, while overpriced or poorly located 3-bedroom apartments can sit for 60 days or more.
The current days-on-market figure in Surabaya is roughly similar to one year ago, reflecting stable market conditions without dramatic shifts in either tenant demand or available supply.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Surabaya?
The peak months for tenant demand in Surabaya are July through September (driven by the new academic year) and January through February (driven by job changes and fresh-year relocations).
These seasonal patterns in Surabaya are driven primarily by university calendars at ITS, Airlangga, and Petra Christian University, as well as corporate hiring cycles that often begin after the new year.
The months with the lowest tenant demand in Surabaya are typically April through June and November through December, when most students are settled and fewer corporate transfers occur.
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What will my monthly costs be in Surabaya as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, landlords in Surabaya should expect to pay annual property taxes (PBB-P2) ranging from around IDR 500,000 to IDR 5 million ($30 to $315 USD or €30 to €295 EUR) for typical residential properties, depending on the assessed value.
The realistic range for annual property taxes in Surabaya spans from as low as IDR 200,000 for modest apartments to over IDR 10 million for large landed houses in premium areas like Pakuwon Indah or Citraland.
Property taxes in Surabaya are calculated based on the NJOP (tax assessment value) of the property, with rates typically ranging from 0.05% to 0.3% of that value depending on which tax band the property falls into under local regulations.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Surabaya right now?
The utilities landlords most commonly pay on behalf of tenants in Surabaya are apartment building service charges (IPL), and occasionally water and internet in fully furnished rental packages.
When landlords do cover utilities in Surabaya, the typical monthly cost is IDR 500,000 to IDR 1.5 million ($30 to $95 USD or €30 to €90 EUR) for IPL charges in apartments, with water adding IDR 50,000 to IDR 150,000 and basic internet another IDR 200,000 to IDR 400,000.
The common practice in Surabaya is for tenants to pay their own electricity (using prepaid token meters), water, and internet, while apartment IPL charges are negotiated and may be paid by either party depending on the lease agreement.
How is rental income taxed in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of January 2026, rental income from property in Surabaya falls under PPh Final Pasal 4(2), which means it's taxed as a final tax on gross rental receipts rather than being added to your progressive income tax calculation.
The main deductions landlords can claim against rental income in Indonesia are limited under the final tax system, but landlords can still deduct legitimate property expenses like maintenance, repairs, and management fees when calculating their overall taxable position.
A common tax mistake landlords in Surabaya should avoid is failing to properly report rental income under the final tax category, which can lead to penalties, or confusing the land and building tax (PBB) with income tax obligations.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Surabaya.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Indonesia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Surabaya, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| BPS Surabaya (Statistics Indonesia) | This is the official statistics agency that publishes Surabaya's inflation and CPI results with consistent methodology. | We used it to anchor what rent growth plausibly looks like in Surabaya by tracking local housing-related CPI trends. We treat it as the public, verifiable baseline for year-over-year changes. |
| BPS National Housing CPI | This is an official CPI dataset covering housing costs nationally with regular updates and transparent methodology. | We used it to cross-check whether Surabaya's housing-cost inflation aligns with national trends. We treat it as a sanity check on direction and magnitude. |
| Bank Indonesia Property Survey (Q3 2025) | This is the central bank's official survey-based property index for Indonesia, including city-level commentary. | We used it to set the macro context for housing market momentum heading into 2026. We reference its Surabaya commentary to inform the rent-growth outlook. |
| Bank Indonesia Property Survey (Q1 2025) | Same central-bank survey series, useful for tracking trend continuity across quarters. | We used it to triangulate whether 2025 was a hot or cool housing period nationally. We use that context to avoid overstating 2026 rent growth projections. |
| Numbeo | This is a widely used, transparent crowdsourced benchmark with ranges and update timestamps. | We used it to anchor apartment rent levels (1BR and 3BR, center versus outside-center) immediately before January 2026. We then derived studio and 2BR estimates using explicit sizing assumptions. |
| Expatistan | This is a long-running, transparent crowdsourced index with dated updates and consistent methodology. | We used it as a second independent benchmark to cross-check Numbeo's order of magnitude. We treat agreement between the two as confidence we're in the right ballpark. |
| Rumah123 | This is a major Indonesian property portal with large inventory and current asking rents. | We used it to reality-check that our typical rent numbers fit what's actually being advertised in Surabaya. We also used it to map which neighborhoods show up most in rental supply. |
| Colliers Surabaya Apartment Report | Colliers is a global real-estate consultancy, and their market reports are standard industry references. | We used it for qualitative market structure insights like where demand concentrates and how landlords compete with discounts. We use it to support neighborhood-level logic rather than setting rent levels. |
| DJP (Direktorat Jenderal Pajak) | This is the official Indonesian tax authority explaining final-withholding rules and covered income types. | We used it to explain how rental income is treated in practice under PPh Final Pasal 4(2). We keep the tax section verifiable and Indonesia-specific. |
| JDIH Surabaya (City Legal Portal) | This is Surabaya's official legal documentation repository for binding local rules and regulations. | We used it to ground the property tax section in Surabaya's actual local regulation on PBB-P2 calculation. We avoid generic Indonesia-only statements where Surabaya differs. |
| PLN (State Electricity Utility) | This is the national electricity provider publishing official residential tariff tables. | We used it to estimate electricity costs in landlord and tenant budgets using correct tariff bands. We explain which costs are typically tenant-paid versus sometimes bundled. |
| PDAM Surya Sembada Surabaya | This is Surabaya's official municipal water company publishing its tariff schedule. | We used it to anchor water utility costs in real Surabaya pricing rather than generic Indonesia averages. We explain why water budgets differ between landed houses and apartments. |
| AESIA Kemenkeu (IPL Explainer) | This is the finance ministry's asset management portal explaining apartment service charge concepts. | We used it to explain IPL charges and how they factor into monthly costs. We reference it to clarify what's typically included in apartment living expenses. |
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