City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Johor Bahru vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Johor Bahru
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Johor Bahru.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Johor Bahru | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $512 | $656 | $144 |
| Groceries | $546 | $515 | +$31 |
| Dining Out | $186 | $81 | +$105 |
| Transportation | $47 | $31 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $133 | $119 | +$14 |
| Other / Misc | $76 | $98 | $22 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Johor Bahru
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,310
per month
Only $1,310/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Johor Bahru — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Johor Bahru on $1,500/month?
Living in Johor Bahru on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$512 to rent, $546 to groceries, $186 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 Johor Bahru or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Johor Bahru 15.8 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Johor Bahru worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Johor Bahru equals ~$1,310/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.