City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Chennai vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Chennai
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 18.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chennai.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chennai | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $742 | $656 | +$86 |
| Groceries | $317 | $515 | $198 |
| Dining Out | $196 | $81 | +$115 |
| Transportation | $36 | $31 | +$5 |
| Utilities | $98 | $119 | $21 |
| Other / Misc | $111 | $98 | +$13 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chennai
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,144
per month
Only $1,144/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Chennai — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chennai on $1,500/month?
Living in Chennai on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$742 to rent, $317 to groceries, $196 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,500/month?
In Surabaya, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $656 rent, $515 groceries, $81 dining.
Is Chennai or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chennai 18.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Chennai worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Chennai equals ~$1,144/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.