City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Brasília vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Brasília
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 17.9 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Brasília.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Brasília | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $568 | $656 | $88 |
| Groceries | $427 | $515 | $88 |
| Dining Out | $221 | $81 | +$140 |
| Transportation | $88 | $31 | +$57 |
| Utilities | $111 | $119 | $8 |
| Other / Misc | $85 | $98 | $13 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Brasília
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,156
per month
Only $1,156/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Brasília — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Brasília on $1,500/month?
Living in Brasília on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$568 to rent, $427 to groceries, $221 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 Brasília or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Brasília 17.9 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Brasília worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Brasília equals ~$1,156/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.