City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Chicago — 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.
Chicago
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 57.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo may not cover basic costs in Chicago.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $599 | $162 |
| Groceries | $343 | $141 | +$202 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $89 | $35 |
| Transportation | $20 | $25 | $5 |
| Utilities | $79 | $57 | +$22 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $89 | $22 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Chicago equivalent
$4,138
per month
You'd need $4,138/mo in Chicago 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 Chicago on $1,000/month?
In Chicago, $1,000/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $599 rent, $141 groceries, $89 dining.
Is Surabaya or Chicago cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Chicago 57.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Chicago?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$4,138/mo in Chicago using COL adjustment.