City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Malmö.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Malmö | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,514 | $2,186 | +$328 |
| Groceries | $969 | $1,717 | $748 |
| Dining Out | $581 | $271 | +$310 |
| Transportation | $264 | $102 | +$162 |
| Utilities | $294 | $395 | $101 |
| Other / Misc | $378 | $329 | +$49 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Malmö
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,966
per month
Only $1,966/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Malmö — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Malmö on $5,000/month?
Living in Malmö on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,514 to rent, $969 to groceries, $581 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $5,000/month?
In Surabaya, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,186 rent, $1,717 groceries, $271 dining.
Is Malmö or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Malmö 35.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Malmö worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Malmö equals ~$1,966/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.