City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Izmir vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Izmir
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 20.2 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Izmir.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Izmir | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $613 | $656 | $43 |
| Groceries | $441 | $515 | $74 |
| Dining Out | $206 | $81 | +$125 |
| Transportation | $43 | $31 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $105 | $119 | $14 |
| Other / Misc | $92 | $98 | $6 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Izmir
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,025
per month
Only $1,025/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Izmir — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Izmir on $1,500/month?
Living in Izmir on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$613 to rent, $441 to groceries, $206 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 Izmir or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Izmir 20.2 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Izmir worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Izmir equals ~$1,025/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.