City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Manila vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Manila
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 21.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Manila.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Manila | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $406 | $437 | $31 |
| Groceries | $307 | $343 | $36 |
| Dining Out | $96 | $54 | +$42 |
| Transportation | $15 | $20 | $5 |
| Utilities | $115 | $79 | +$36 |
| Other / Misc | $61 | $67 | $6 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Manila
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$633
per month
Only $633/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Manila — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Manila on $1,000/month?
Living in Manila on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$406 to rent, $307 to groceries, $96 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 Manila or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Manila 21.8 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Manila worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Manila equals ~$633/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.