City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Bangkok vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Bangkok
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 33.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Bangkok.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Bangkok | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $725 | $656 | +$69 |
| Groceries | $409 | $515 | $106 |
| Dining Out | $93 | $81 | +$12 |
| Transportation | $45 | $31 | +$14 |
| Utilities | $120 | $119 | +$1 |
| Other / Misc | $108 | $98 | +$10 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Bangkok
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$622
per month
Only $622/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Bangkok — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Bangkok on $1,500/month?
Living in Bangkok on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$725 to rent, $409 to groceries, $93 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 Bangkok or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Bangkok 33.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Bangkok worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Bangkok equals ~$622/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.