City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Ankara vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Ankara
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 21.2 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Ankara.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Ankara | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $623 | $656 | $33 |
| Groceries | $425 | $515 | $90 |
| Dining Out | $215 | $81 | +$134 |
| Transportation | $42 | $31 | +$11 |
| Utilities | $102 | $119 | $17 |
| Other / Misc | $93 | $98 | $5 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Ankara
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$976
per month
Only $976/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Ankara — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Ankara on $1,500/month?
Living in Ankara on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$623 to rent, $425 to groceries, $215 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,500/month?
In Surabaya, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $656 rent, $515 groceries, $81 dining.
Is Ankara or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Ankara 21.2 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Ankara worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Ankara equals ~$976/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.