City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/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)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $844 | $875 | $31 |
| Groceries | $639 | $687 | $48 |
| Dining Out | $134 | $108 | +$26 |
| Transportation | $70 | $41 | +$29 |
| Utilities | $187 | $158 | +$29 |
| Other / Misc | $126 | $131 | $5 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$2,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,249
per month
Only $1,249/mo in Surabaya matches $2,000/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $2,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$844 to rent, $639 to groceries, $134 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $2,000/month?
In Surabaya, $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $875 rent, $687 groceries, $108 dining.
Is Phuket or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Phuket worth in Surabaya?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,249/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.