City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Malmö — 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.
Malmö
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 35.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo barely covers basics in Malmö.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $503 | $66 |
| Groceries | $343 | $194 | +$149 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $116 | $62 |
| Transportation | $20 | $53 | $33 |
| Utilities | $79 | $59 | +$20 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $75 | $8 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Malmö equivalent
$2,543
per month
You'd need $2,543/mo in Malmö 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 Malmö on $1,000/month?
In Malmö, $1,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $503 rent, $194 groceries, $116 dining.
Is Surabaya or Malmö cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Malmö 35.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Malmö?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$2,543/mo in Malmö using COL adjustment.