City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Rome vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Rome
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 48.6 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo may not cover basic costs in Rome.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Rome | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $554 | $437 | +$117 |
| Groceries | $150 | $343 | $193 |
| Dining Out | $99 | $54 | +$45 |
| Transportation | $17 | $20 | $3 |
| Utilities | $96 | $79 | +$17 |
| Other / Misc | $84 | $67 | +$17 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Rome
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$284
per month
Only $284/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Rome — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Rome on $1,000/month?
Living in Rome on $1,000/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Budget allocates ~$554 to rent, $150 to groceries, $99 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,000/month?
In Surabaya, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $437 rent, $343 groceries, $54 dining.
Is Rome or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Rome 48.6 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Rome worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Rome equals ~$284/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.