City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Surabaya vs Lyon — 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.
Lyon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $656 | $744 | $88 |
| Groceries | $515 | $283 | +$232 |
| Dining Out | $81 | $168 | $87 |
| Transportation | $31 | $59 | $28 |
| Utilities | $119 | $136 | $17 |
| Other / Misc | $98 | $110 | $12 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,500
per month
Lyon equivalent
$4,380
per month
You'd need $4,380/mo in Lyon 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 Lyon on $1,500/month?
In Lyon, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $744 rent, $283 groceries, $168 dining.
Is Surabaya or Lyon cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Surabaya worth in Lyon?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$4,380/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.