How Much Does It Cost to Live In Phuket?
Phuket is the desired destination for holiday makers, making it more expensive than some other cities in Thailand.
The cost of living here is higher than in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, but it is still affordable.
Nevertheless, your monthly budget will vary depending on the lifestyle you want to lead, and being that great number of tourists is coming here, the prices are based on their budgets, rather than on the modest incomes of its residents.
Thailand : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
If you are a frequent visitor of restaurants and bars, Phuket has numerous options to offer, and there are places where you can really spend a lot or save a lot, depending on the amount of money you are ready to spend on it.
MARKETS
While some people might want to eat at restaurants frequently, there are those who are more interested in staying in and cooking for themselves most of the time.
The latter will be able to save some money on the already too expensive food, especially if they purchase it at discounted prices.
TRANSPORTATION
On the whole, the cost of transportation in Phuket is neither too affordable, nor too expensive.
Getting from one place to another would cots you less than $1, but the better solution is to buy a monthly pass, and use the public transportation daily for less money.
The price of gasoline is extremely high.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
If you are smart, you will be able to organize your budget so as to have enough money for all the expenses.
Utilities might take you pretty much, but this highly depends on your habits.
The more you spend, the more you will need to pay.
SPORTS & LEISURE
You will pay more for fitness clubs in Phuket, while the tennis court rent is lower here than in the central areas of Thailand.
If you tend to spend time watching the latest movies, you will pay around $8 for a cinema ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
What is interesting is that the price of clothing items is lower here, than on the mainland.
Even though designer clothing items are found as pretty inexpensive, in comparison to other parts of Thailand, very little amount of money is spent on them, only 3.5%.
RENT PER MONTH
The cost of the rent in Phuket really depends on the type of accommodation you want, which part of the city you have decided to live in, as the apartments in the city center are more expensive than those in the suburbs and how big the apartment is.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Phuket
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.20 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.56 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.46 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $7.85 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.50 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.86 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.96 |
| Monthly Pass | $ |
| Gasoline | $6.39 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $84.24 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.07 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $23.21 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $48.41 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $8.79 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $7.99 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $45.46 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $36.08 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $89.05 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $380.22 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $264.02 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $911.02 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Phuket?
When it comes to accommodation, you can save some money on it if you do not rent a luxurious villa in the city center, but get satisfied with a decent apartment out of it.
The smaller it is, the lower expenses are which will be of great benefit for your budget.
Once in Phuket, be ready to pay a lot for the food.
Markets are expensive, as they are frequently visited by tourists, and more than 42% of your salary would be spent on groceries.
Average Costs Breakdown
Phuket: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
One of the main reasons people move to Phuket is because it is pretty cheap when compared to some other holiday destinations around the world and at the same time it is a stunning place.
The average monthly net salary here is higher than in other major cities in Thailand.
However, the difference between it and the minimum income is huge, exceeding $500, which can cover almost all the expenses.
So as to be able to lead a stable and decent life here, you should act like its residents and adopt their spending habits.
Phuket Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Phuket Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Phuket
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Bangkok | 53.61 |
| Chiang Mai | 40.53 |
| Pattaya | 40.7 |
I passed through Phuket whilst on vacation in Thailand, it’s a beautiful city as you say. The costs were noticeably different to Bangkok as well, it’s no surprise that residents are living well so long as they are working. Seems like a great city to live, all in all. I’m definitely going back at some point.
I’m really happy to live in this city, I just finished college and work as a cashier for now and it is more than enough to survive. Wages are really good here and tax is very low, just 10%. I hope there are no major changes because I don’t think I ever want to move!!
I’m considering Thailand for my next vacation, somewhere cheap and good for tourists. Is Phuket good for me? Looking at the cost of things, I think I can buy lots of stuff to bring back home. It seems like clothes are a bit cheaper in Thailand than here in the US. I’d like to eat out plenty as well. Please advise!