City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Heraklion vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Heraklion
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 26.4 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Heraklion.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Heraklion | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,537 | $2,186 | $649 |
| Groceries | $1,374 | $1,717 | $343 |
| Dining Out | $1,023 | $271 | +$752 |
| Transportation | $133 | $102 | +$31 |
| Utilities | $703 | $395 | +$308 |
| Other / Misc | $230 | $329 | $99 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Heraklion
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$2,614
per month
Only $2,614/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Heraklion — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Heraklion on $5,000/month?
Living in Heraklion on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,537 to rent, $1,374 to groceries, $1,023 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 Heraklion or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Heraklion 26.4 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Heraklion worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Heraklion equals ~$2,614/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.