City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/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)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Bangkok.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Bangkok | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $966 | $875 | +$91 |
| Groceries | $545 | $687 | $142 |
| Dining Out | $124 | $108 | +$16 |
| Transportation | $60 | $41 | +$19 |
| Utilities | $160 | $158 | +$2 |
| Other / Misc | $145 | $131 | +$14 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Bangkok
$2,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$829
per month
Only $829/mo in Surabaya matches $2,000/mo in Bangkok — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Bangkok on $2,000/month?
Living in Bangkok on $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$966 to rent, $545 to groceries, $124 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $2,000/month?
In Surabaya, $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $875 rent, $687 groceries, $108 dining.
Is Bangkok or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Bangkok 33.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Bangkok worth in Surabaya?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Bangkok equals ~$829/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.