City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Surabaya vs New York — 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.
New York
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 82.5 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo may not cover basic costs in New York.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | New York | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $656 | $942 | $286 |
| Groceries | $515 | $188 | +$327 |
| Dining Out | $81 | $120 | $39 |
| Transportation | $31 | $33 | $2 |
| Utilities | $119 | $76 | +$43 |
| Other / Misc | $98 | $141 | $43 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,500
per month
New York equivalent
$8,967
per month
You'd need $8,967/mo in New York 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 New York on $1,500/month?
In New York, $1,500/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $942 rent, $188 groceries, $120 dining.
Is Surabaya or New York cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs New York 82.5 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Surabaya worth in New York?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$8,967/mo in New York using COL adjustment.