City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Bangkok — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Bangkok
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 33.3 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo barely covers basics in Bangkok.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Bangkok | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $483 | $46 |
| Groceries | $343 | $273 | +$70 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $62 | $8 |
| Transportation | $20 | $30 | $10 |
| Utilities | $79 | $80 | $1 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $72 | $5 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Bangkok equivalent
$2,413
per month
You'd need $2,413/mo in Bangkok to match $1,000/mo in Surabaya.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,000/month?
Living in Surabaya on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$437 to rent, $343 to groceries, $54 to dining.
Can I live in Bangkok on $1,000/month?
In Bangkok, $1,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $483 rent, $273 groceries, $62 dining.
Is Surabaya or Bangkok cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Bangkok 33.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Bangkok?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$2,413/mo in Bangkok using COL adjustment.