City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,702 | $2,186 | $484 |
| Groceries | $1,795 | $1,717 | +$78 |
| Dining Out | $495 | $271 | +$224 |
| Transportation | $83 | $102 | $19 |
| Utilities | $670 | $395 | +$275 |
| Other / Misc | $255 | $329 | $74 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$4,452
per month
Only $4,452/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Cebu — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $5,000/month?
Living in Cebu on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,702 to rent, $1,795 to groceries, $495 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $5,000/month?
In Surabaya, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,186 rent, $1,717 groceries, $271 dining.
Is Cebu or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Cebu worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$4,452/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.