City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Edinburgh vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $732 | $656 | +$76 |
| Groceries | $249 | $515 | $266 |
| Dining Out | $191 | $81 | +$110 |
| Transportation | $66 | $31 | +$35 |
| Utilities | $152 | $119 | +$33 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $98 | +$12 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$514
per month
Only $514/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$732 to rent, $249 to groceries, $191 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 Edinburgh or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Edinburgh worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$514/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.