City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Medellín — 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.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $411 | +$26 |
| Groceries | $343 | $297 | +$46 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $126 | $72 |
| Transportation | $20 | $40 | $20 |
| Utilities | $79 | $64 | +$15 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $62 | +$5 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Medellín equivalent
$1,384
per month
You'd need $1,384/mo in Medellín 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 Medellín on $1,000/month?
In Medellín, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $411 rent, $297 groceries, $126 dining.
Is Surabaya or Medellín cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Medellín?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$1,384/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.