City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Phuket vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $422 | $437 | $15 |
| Groceries | $319 | $343 | $24 |
| Dining Out | $67 | $54 | +$13 |
| Transportation | $35 | $20 | +$15 |
| Utilities | $93 | $79 | +$14 |
| Other / Misc | $64 | $67 | $3 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$624
per month
Only $624/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $1,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$422 to rent, $319 to groceries, $67 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 Phuket or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Phuket worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$624/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.