City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Medellín vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Medellín | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,056 | $2,186 | $130 |
| Groceries | $1,483 | $1,717 | $234 |
| Dining Out | $629 | $271 | +$358 |
| Transportation | $202 | $102 | +$100 |
| Utilities | $322 | $395 | $73 |
| Other / Misc | $308 | $329 | $21 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Medellín
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$3,613
per month
Only $3,613/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Medellín — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Medellín on $5,000/month?
Living in Medellín on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,056 to rent, $1,483 to groceries, $629 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 Medellín or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Medellín 19.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Medellín worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Medellín equals ~$3,613/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.