City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,110 | $2,186 | $76 |
| Groceries | $1,597 | $1,717 | $120 |
| Dining Out | $335 | $271 | +$64 |
| Transportation | $174 | $102 | +$72 |
| Utilities | $467 | $395 | +$72 |
| Other / Misc | $317 | $329 | $12 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$3,122
per month
Only $3,122/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $5,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,110 to rent, $1,597 to groceries, $335 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 Phuket or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Phuket worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$3,122/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.