City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Chennai vs Malmö — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Chennai
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 18.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chennai.
Malmö
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 35.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Malmö.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chennai | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,472 | $2,514 | $42 |
| Groceries | $1,057 | $969 | +$88 |
| Dining Out | $654 | $581 | +$73 |
| Transportation | $120 | $264 | $144 |
| Utilities | $327 | $294 | +$33 |
| Other / Misc | $370 | $378 | $8 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chennai
$5,000
per month
Malmö equivalent
$9,696
per month
You'd need $9,696/mo in Malmö to match $5,000/mo in Chennai.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chennai on $5,000/month?
Living in Chennai on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,472 to rent, $1,057 to groceries, $654 to dining.
Can I live in Malmö on $5,000/month?
In Malmö, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,514 rent, $969 groceries, $581 dining.
Is Chennai or Malmö cheaper?
Chennai is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chennai 18.1 vs Malmö 35.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Chennai worth in Malmö?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Chennai equals ~$9,696/mo in Malmö using COL adjustment.