City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Lyon vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Lyon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lyon.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Lyon | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $744 | $656 | +$88 |
| Groceries | $283 | $515 | $232 |
| Dining Out | $168 | $81 | +$87 |
| Transportation | $59 | $31 | +$28 |
| Utilities | $136 | $119 | +$17 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $98 | +$12 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Lyon
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$514
per month
Only $514/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Lyon — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Lyon on $1,500/month?
Living in Lyon on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$744 to rent, $283 to groceries, $168 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 Lyon or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Lyon 40.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Lyon worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Lyon equals ~$514/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.