City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Cebu vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Cebu
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.5 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $340 | $437 | $97 |
| Groceries | $359 | $343 | +$16 |
| Dining Out | $99 | $54 | +$45 |
| Transportation | $17 | $20 | $3 |
| Utilities | $134 | $79 | +$55 |
| Other / Misc | $51 | $67 | $16 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$890
per month
Only $890/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Cebu — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $1,000/month?
Living in Cebu on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$340 to rent, $359 to groceries, $99 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 Cebu or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Cebu worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$890/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.