City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Surabaya vs Wellington — 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.
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Surabaya | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,186 | $2,768 | $582 |
| Groceries | $1,717 | $842 | +$875 |
| Dining Out | $271 | $450 | $179 |
| Transportation | $102 | $231 | $129 |
| Utilities | $395 | $294 | +$101 |
| Other / Misc | $329 | $415 | $86 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Surabaya
$5,000
per month
Wellington equivalent
$18,442
per month
You'd need $18,442/mo in Wellington 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 Wellington on $5,000/month?
In Wellington, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,768 rent, $842 groceries, $450 dining.
Is Surabaya or Wellington cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Surabaya 13.8 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Surabaya worth in Wellington?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Surabaya equals ~$18,442/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.