Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Phuket Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Phuket

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $355 in Al Ghubra versus $1,250 in Phuket.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $473 in Al Ghubra versus $2,284 in Phuket.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $591 in Al Ghubra versus $3,317 in Phuket.

Living in Al Ghubra costs roughly 72% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al Ghubra 73% lower, Phuket 6% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$4.55 ฿153
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$46.18 ฿1,553
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$8.84 ฿297
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.06 ฿103
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.73 ฿24.40
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 OMR 0.10
$0.40 ฿13.39
-37.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.43 ฿81.8
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.78 ฿127
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.84 OMR 0.71
$2.26 ฿76.0
-18.58%
White Bread (500g)
-
$1.81 ฿60.9
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.13 OMR 0.82
$2.25 ฿75.8
-5.33%
Eggs
$5.10 OMR 1.96
$2.25 ฿75.5
126.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$19.51 ฿656
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$3.65 ฿123
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$13.05 ฿439
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.11 OMR 0.81
$3.23 ฿109
-34.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.86 OMR 0.72
$1.62 ฿54.4
14.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.83 OMR 0.70
$2.38 ฿80.1
-23.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.27 OMR 0.49
$2.03 ฿68.1
-37.44%
Potato (1kg)
$0.62 OMR 0.24
$1.53 ฿51.6
-59.48%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 OMR 0.26
$1.50 ฿50.5
-54.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.98 ฿32.91
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 OMR 0.21
$0.52 ฿17.39
3.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.44 ฿149
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.32 ฿616
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.86 ฿62.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.68 ฿90.1
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.41 ฿47.46
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$11.70 ฿393
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.11 ฿105
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.04 ฿35.06
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$14.11 ฿474
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.31 ฿44.10
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$27.8K ฿935.4K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$33.2K ฿1.1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$113 OMR 43.33
$122 ฿4,118
-8.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.59 ฿457
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.8 OMR 33.01
$18.70 ฿629
358.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.51 OMR 16.74
$60.5 ฿2,034
-28.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.04 OMR 14.25
$16.98 ฿571
118.14%
Cinema Ticket
$8.88 OMR 3.42
$9.07 ฿305
-2.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$182 OMR 69.9
$706 ฿23.8K
-74.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K OMR 4,037
$15.8K ฿531.5K
-33.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$58.6 ฿1,969
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$35.36 ฿1,189
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$115 ฿3,883
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$83.7 ฿2,816
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$626 ฿21.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$445 ฿15.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,040 ฿68.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,492 ฿50.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,483 ฿117.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,577 ฿86.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Ghubra
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,096 OMR 1,191
$500 ฿16.8K
519.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.33
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al Ghubra: July 13, 2026

Last update for Phuket: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Al Ghubra pays 519% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Al Ghubra vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Al Ghubra and in Phuket?
Al Ghubra and Phuket differ by about 253% in total monthly costs ($355 vs $1,250 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Al Ghubra or Phuket?
Average pay runs 519% higher in Al Ghubra, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Al Ghubra and Phuket?
Childcare runs $182 in Al Ghubra versus $706 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more expensive overall: Al Ghubra or Phuket?
All in, you'll spend $355 per month in Al Ghubra versus $1,250 in Phuket – a 253% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $355 in Al Ghubra versus $1,250 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Al Ghubra but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Al Ghubra the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Al Ghubra and Phuket?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Al Ghubra or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Al Ghubra and Phuket are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Al Ghubra or Phuket?
Expats usually find Al Ghubra gentler on the wallet – expenses run 253% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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