City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/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)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $681 | $875 | $194 |
| Groceries | $718 | $687 | +$31 |
| Dining Out | $198 | $108 | +$90 |
| Transportation | $33 | $41 | $8 |
| Utilities | $268 | $158 | +$110 |
| Other / Misc | $102 | $131 | $29 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$2,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,781
per month
Only $1,781/mo in Surabaya matches $2,000/mo in Cebu — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $2,000/month?
Living in Cebu on $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$681 to rent, $718 to groceries, $198 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 Cebu or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Cebu worth in Surabaya?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$1,781/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.