City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Athens vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Athens
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 38.8 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Athens.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Athens | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,162 | $1,312 | $150 |
| Groceries | $706 | $1,030 | $324 |
| Dining Out | $528 | $163 | +$365 |
| Transportation | $68 | $61 | +$7 |
| Utilities | $362 | $237 | +$125 |
| Other / Misc | $174 | $197 | $23 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Athens
$3,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,067
per month
Only $1,067/mo in Surabaya matches $3,000/mo in Athens — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Athens on $3,000/month?
Living in Athens on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,162 to rent, $706 to groceries, $528 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $3,000/month?
In Surabaya, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,312 rent, $1,030 groceries, $163 dining.
Is Athens or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Athens 38.8 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Athens worth in Surabaya?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Athens equals ~$1,067/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.