City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/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)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,266 | $1,312 | $46 |
| Groceries | $958 | $1,030 | $72 |
| Dining Out | $201 | $163 | +$38 |
| Transportation | $105 | $61 | +$44 |
| Utilities | $280 | $237 | +$43 |
| Other / Misc | $190 | $197 | $7 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$3,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$1,873
per month
Only $1,873/mo in Surabaya matches $3,000/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $3,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,266 to rent, $958 to groceries, $201 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $3,000/month?
In Surabaya, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,312 rent, $1,030 groceries, $163 dining.
Is Phuket or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Phuket worth in Surabaya?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,873/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.