City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Amsterdam vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Amsterdam
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 65.5 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo may not cover basic costs in Amsterdam.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Amsterdam | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $620 | $437 | +$183 |
| Groceries | $112 | $343 | $231 |
| Dining Out | $79 | $54 | +$25 |
| Transportation | $33 | $20 | +$13 |
| Utilities | $63 | $79 | $16 |
| Other / Misc | $93 | $67 | +$26 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Amsterdam
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$211
per month
Only $211/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Amsterdam — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Amsterdam on $1,000/month?
Living in Amsterdam on $1,000/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Budget allocates ~$620 to rent, $112 to groceries, $79 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,000/month?
In Surabaya, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $437 rent, $343 groceries, $54 dining.
Is Amsterdam or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Amsterdam 65.5 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Amsterdam worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Amsterdam equals ~$211/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.