City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Bangkok vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Bangkok
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 33.3 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo barely covers basics in Bangkok.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Bangkok | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $483 | $437 | +$46 |
| Groceries | $273 | $343 | $70 |
| Dining Out | $62 | $54 | +$8 |
| Transportation | $30 | $20 | +$10 |
| Utilities | $80 | $79 | +$1 |
| Other / Misc | $72 | $67 | +$5 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Bangkok
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$414
per month
Only $414/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Bangkok — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Bangkok on $1,000/month?
Living in Bangkok on $1,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$483 to rent, $273 to groceries, $62 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 Bangkok or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Bangkok 33.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Bangkok worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Bangkok equals ~$414/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.