City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Surabaya vs Rome — 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.
Rome
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 48.6 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo may not cover basic costs in Rome.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $656 | $832 | $176 |
| Groceries | $515 | $226 | +$289 |
| Dining Out | $81 | $148 | $67 |
| Transportation | $31 | $25 | +$6 |
| Utilities | $119 | $145 | $26 |
| Other / Misc | $98 | $124 | $26 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$1,500
per month
Rome equivalent
$5,283
per month
You'd need $5,283/mo in Rome 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 Rome on $1,500/month?
In Rome, $1,500/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $832 rent, $226 groceries, $148 dining.
Is Surabaya or Rome cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Rome 48.6 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Surabaya worth in Rome?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$5,283/mo in Rome using COL adjustment.