City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,186 | $2,110 | +$76 |
| Groceries | $1,717 | $1,597 | +$120 |
| Dining Out | $271 | $335 | $64 |
| Transportation | $102 | $174 | $72 |
| Utilities | $395 | $467 | $72 |
| Other / Misc | $329 | $317 | +$12 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$5,000
per month
Phuket equivalent
$8,007
per month
You'd need $8,007/mo in Phuket 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 Phuket on $5,000/month?
In Phuket, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,110 rent, $1,597 groceries, $335 dining.
Is Surabaya or Phuket cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Phuket?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$8,007/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.