City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Malmö vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Malmö
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 35.1 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Malmö.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Malmö | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,509 | $1,312 | +$197 |
| Groceries | $581 | $1,030 | $449 |
| Dining Out | $349 | $163 | +$186 |
| Transportation | $159 | $61 | +$98 |
| Utilities | $177 | $237 | $60 |
| Other / Misc | $225 | $197 | +$28 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Malmö
$3,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,179
per month
Only $1,179/mo in Surabaya matches $3,000/mo in Malmö — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Malmö on $3,000/month?
Living in Malmö on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,509 to rent, $581 to groceries, $349 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $3,000/month?
In Surabaya, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,312 rent, $1,030 groceries, $163 dining.
Is Malmö or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Malmö 35.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Malmö worth in Surabaya?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Malmö equals ~$1,179/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.