City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Barcelona vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Barcelona
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 44.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Barcelona.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Barcelona | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $864 | $656 | +$208 |
| Groceries | $224 | $515 | $291 |
| Dining Out | $148 | $81 | +$67 |
| Transportation | $29 | $31 | $2 |
| Utilities | $106 | $119 | $13 |
| Other / Misc | $129 | $98 | +$31 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Barcelona
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$467
per month
Only $467/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Barcelona — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Barcelona on $1,500/month?
Living in Barcelona on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$864 to rent, $224 to groceries, $148 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 Barcelona or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Barcelona 44.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Barcelona worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Barcelona equals ~$467/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.