City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Surabaya vs Phuket — 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.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $437 | $422 | +$15 |
| Groceries | $343 | $319 | +$24 |
| Dining Out | $54 | $67 | $13 |
| Transportation | $20 | $35 | $15 |
| Utilities | $79 | $93 | $14 |
| Other / Misc | $67 | $64 | +$3 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,000
per month
Phuket equivalent
$1,601
per month
You'd need $1,601/mo in Phuket 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 Phuket on $1,000/month?
In Phuket, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $422 rent, $319 groceries, $67 dining.
Is Surabaya or Phuket cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Phuket?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$1,601/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.