πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,261 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,510 in Astrakhan versus $2,286 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,970 in Astrakhan versus $3,310 in Phuket.
πLiving in Astrakhan costs roughly 17% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Astrakhan22% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.99β½796
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
141.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.08β½2,397
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
-29.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.56β½548
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
-10.74%
Cappuccino
$1.84β½134
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
-39.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92β½66.9
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52β½37.68
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
40.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.26β½91.0
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
-49.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59β½188
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-29.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32β½95.8
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-39.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06β½76.5
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
-44.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01β½73.4
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
-54.09%
Eggs
$1.74β½126
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
-21.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.42β½1,769
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
22.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82β½349
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
31.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.72β½487
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
-49.28%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55β½112
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-52.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80β½130
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
5.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57β½114
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
-34.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39β½174
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
14.90%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95β½68.9
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-40.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57β½41.09
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
-61.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β½105
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
40.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65β½46.83
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94β½141
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
-54.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.19β½304
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-77.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05β½76.0
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
-40.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95β½141
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
-29.35%
π Getting Around
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48β½35.14
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
-64.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.77β½1,577
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
91.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.46β½179
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
-21.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33β½23.73
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
-68.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.83β½277
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
-72.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88β½63.4
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
-34.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9Kβ½2.5M
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
22.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4Kβ½2.3M
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-7.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103β½7,458
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
-16.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36β½461
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
-52.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.56β½403
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
-70.25%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.88β½3,469
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-22.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.68β½1,788
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
43.07%
Cinema Ticket
$5.30β½384
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
-42.01%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115β½8,298
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
-83.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,028β½509.2K
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
-55.72%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8β½4,187
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
-2.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.62β½2,291
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
-9.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.0β½6,378
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-23.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129β½9,373
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
53.90%
π Accommodation & Living
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$421β½30.5K
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
-32.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321β½23.3K
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
-25.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445β½32.2K
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
-78.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381β½27.6K
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
-74.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,345β½97.5K
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-63.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$678β½49.1K
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-74.17%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astrakhan
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453β½32.8K
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
-10.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
5.33
187.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astrakhan: June 7, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $421 in Astrakhan and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Phuket pays 12% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Astrakhan vs $47.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $224 vs $293 per month, with Astrakhan cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Astrakhan vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Astrakhan and Phuket?
Astrakhan and Phuket differ by about 20% in total monthly costs ($1,050 vs $1,261 including rent). Astrakhan is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Phuket earns 12% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Astrakhan and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $421 in Astrakhan versus $619 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Astrakhan and Phuket?
A monthly transit pass in Astrakhan runs roughly 92% less than in Phuket. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astrakhan and Phuket?
Childcare runs $115 in Astrakhan versus $703 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,261 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Astrakhan but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Astrakhan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Astrakhan and Phuket?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Astrakhan or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Astrakhan 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: Astrakhan or Phuket?
Expats usually find Astrakhan gentler on the wallet β expenses run 20% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.