City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Brussels — 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.
Brussels
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 54.9 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo may not cover basic costs in Brussels.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Brussels | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $559 | $122 |
| Groceries | $343 | $145 | +$198 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $97 | $43 |
| Transportation | $20 | $20 | $0 |
| Utilities | $79 | $94 | $15 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $85 | $18 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Brussels equivalent
$3,978
per month
You'd need $3,978/mo in Brussels 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 Brussels on $1,000/month?
In Brussels, $1,000/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $559 rent, $145 groceries, $97 dining.
Is Surabaya or Brussels cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Brussels 54.9 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Brussels?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$3,978/mo in Brussels using COL adjustment.