City Budget Comparison

Can You Live on $1,000/month?

Malmö vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown

Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026

Feasibility

Malmö

Tight Budget

COL+Rent: 35.1 (NYC=100)

$1,000/mo barely covers basics in Malmö.

Surabaya

Comfortable

COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)

$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.

Budget Breakdown

CategoryMalmöSurabayaDiff
Rent (avg 1BR)$503$437+$66
Groceries$194$343$149
Dining Out$116$54+$62
Transportation$53$20+$33
Utilities$59$79$20
Other / Misc$75$67+$8
Total$1,000$1,000

Purchasing Power

Malmö

$1,000

per month

Surabaya equivalent

$393

per month

Only $393/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Malmö — better value.

Other Budget Levels

FAQ

Can I live in Malmö on $1,000/month?
Living in Malmö on $1,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$503 to rent, $194 to groceries, $116 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,000/month?
In Surabaya, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $437 rent, $343 groceries, $54 dining.
Is Malmö or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Malmö 35.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Malmö worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Malmö equals ~$393/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.

Explore More