City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/month?
Rome vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Rome
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 48.6 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo barely covers basics in Rome.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Rome | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,109 | $875 | +$234 |
| Groceries | $301 | $687 | $386 |
| Dining Out | $197 | $108 | +$89 |
| Transportation | $34 | $41 | $7 |
| Utilities | $193 | $158 | +$35 |
| Other / Misc | $166 | $131 | +$35 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Rome
$2,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$568
per month
Only $568/mo in Surabaya matches $2,000/mo in Rome — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Rome on $2,000/month?
Living in Rome on $2,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$1,109 to rent, $301 to groceries, $197 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 Rome or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Rome 48.6 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Rome worth in Surabaya?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Rome equals ~$568/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.