City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
San Francisco vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
San Francisco
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 75.6 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo may not cover basic costs in San Francisco.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | San Francisco | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $623 | $437 | +$186 |
| Groceries | $128 | $343 | $215 |
| Dining Out | $82 | $54 | +$28 |
| Transportation | $22 | $20 | +$2 |
| Utilities | $52 | $79 | $27 |
| Other / Misc | $93 | $67 | +$26 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$183
per month
Only $183/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in San Francisco — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in San Francisco on $1,000/month?
Living in San Francisco on $1,000/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Budget allocates ~$623 to rent, $128 to groceries, $82 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 San Francisco or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: San Francisco 75.6 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in San Francisco worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in San Francisco equals ~$183/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.