City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,186 | $2,056 | +$130 |
| Groceries | $1,717 | $1,483 | +$234 |
| Dining Out | $271 | $629 | $358 |
| Transportation | $102 | $202 | $100 |
| Utilities | $395 | $322 | +$73 |
| Other / Misc | $329 | $308 | +$21 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$5,000
per month
Medellín equivalent
$6,920
per month
You'd need $6,920/mo in Medellín to match $5,000/mo in Surabaya.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Surabaya on $5,000/month?
Living in Surabaya on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,186 to rent, $1,717 to groceries, $271 to dining.
Can I live in Medellín on $5,000/month?
In Medellín, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,056 rent, $1,483 groceries, $629 dining.
Is Surabaya or Medellín cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Medellín?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$6,920/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.