City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/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)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chennai.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chennai | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $989 | $875 | +$114 |
| Groceries | $423 | $687 | $264 |
| Dining Out | $261 | $108 | +$153 |
| Transportation | $48 | $41 | +$7 |
| Utilities | $131 | $158 | $27 |
| Other / Misc | $148 | $131 | +$17 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chennai
$2,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,525
per month
Only $1,525/mo in Surabaya matches $2,000/mo in Chennai — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chennai on $2,000/month?
Living in Chennai on $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$989 to rent, $423 to groceries, $261 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 Chennai or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chennai 18.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Chennai worth in Surabaya?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Chennai equals ~$1,525/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.