City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/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)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,021 | $1,312 | $291 |
| Groceries | $1,077 | $1,030 | +$47 |
| Dining Out | $297 | $163 | +$134 |
| Transportation | $50 | $61 | $11 |
| Utilities | $402 | $237 | +$165 |
| Other / Misc | $153 | $197 | $44 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$3,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$2,671
per month
Only $2,671/mo in Surabaya matches $3,000/mo in Cebu — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $3,000/month?
Living in Cebu on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,021 to rent, $1,077 to groceries, $297 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $3,000/month?
In Surabaya, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,312 rent, $1,030 groceries, $163 dining.
Is Cebu or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Cebu worth in Surabaya?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$2,671/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.