City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Rio de Janeiro vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Rio de Janeiro
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Rio de Janeiro.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Rio de Janeiro | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,122 | $2,186 | $64 |
| Groceries | $1,307 | $1,717 | $410 |
| Dining Out | $647 | $271 | +$376 |
| Transportation | $264 | $102 | +$162 |
| Utilities | $342 | $395 | $53 |
| Other / Misc | $318 | $329 | $11 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Rio de Janeiro
$5,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$3,122
per month
Only $3,122/mo in Surabaya matches $5,000/mo in Rio de Janeiro — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Rio de Janeiro on $5,000/month?
Living in Rio de Janeiro on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,122 to rent, $1,307 to groceries, $647 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 Rio de Janeiro or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Rio de Janeiro 22.1 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Rio de Janeiro worth in Surabaya?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Rio de Janeiro equals ~$3,122/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.