City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/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)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $656 | $23 |
| Groceries | $479 | $515 | $36 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $81 | +$19 |
| Transportation | $52 | $31 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $140 | $119 | +$21 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $98 | $2 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$937
per month
Only $937/mo in Surabaya matches $1,500/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $1,500/month?
Living in Phuket on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$633 to rent, $479 to groceries, $100 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,500/month?
In Surabaya, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $656 rent, $515 groceries, $81 dining.
Is Phuket or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Surabaya?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$937/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.