City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Surabaya vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $656 | $732 | $76 |
| Groceries | $515 | $249 | +$266 |
| Dining Out | $81 | $191 | $110 |
| Transportation | $31 | $66 | $35 |
| Utilities | $119 | $152 | $33 |
| Other / Misc | $98 | $110 | $12 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,500
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$4,380
per month
You'd need $4,380/mo in Edinburgh to match $1,500/mo in Surabaya.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,500/month?
Living in Surabaya on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$656 to rent, $515 to groceries, $81 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
In Edinburgh, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $732 rent, $249 groceries, $191 dining.
Is Surabaya or Edinburgh cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Surabaya worth in Edinburgh?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$4,380/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.