πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $1,261 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,622 in Coquimbo versus $2,286 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,176 in Coquimbo versus $3,310 in Phuket.
πLiving in Coquimbo costs roughly 15% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Coquimbo20% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66CLPΒ 7,783
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
89.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.66CLPΒ 40.1K
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
-4.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.21CLPΒ 7,378
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
-3.07%
Cappuccino
$2.72CLPΒ 2,441
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
-10.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30CLPΒ 1,165
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
88.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02CLPΒ 915
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
175.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21CLPΒ 2,883
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
28.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06CLPΒ 3,650
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
10.93%
π Groceries & Markets
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06CLPΒ 950
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-51.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53CLPΒ 1,374
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
-19.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92CLPΒ 1,726
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
-12.73%
Eggs
$3.43CLPΒ 3,079
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
54.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.34CLPΒ 9,295
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
-48.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72CLPΒ 6,039
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
83.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79CLPΒ 9,695
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
-18.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82CLPΒ 1,633
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-43.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,362
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
-10.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55CLPΒ 1,391
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
-35.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45CLPΒ 1,304
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
-30.29%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,143
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-20.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.42CLPΒ 1,277
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
-4.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,141
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
23.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19CLPΒ 1,068
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
128.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.51CLPΒ 4,950
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
29.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.02CLPΒ 5,411
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-67.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,402
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
-11.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21CLPΒ 1,988
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
-19.93%
π Getting Around
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63CLPΒ 564
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
-53.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47CLPΒ 419
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
-85.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37CLPΒ 1,235
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
2.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KCLPΒ 17.6M
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
-29.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCLPΒ 19.1M
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-37.19%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132CLPΒ 118.9K
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
7.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.32CLPΒ 12.0K
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
-1.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.78CLPΒ 19.6K
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
16.53%
π Sport & Entertainment
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.95CLPΒ 34.1K
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-38.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29CLPΒ 19.1K
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
23.42%
Cinema Ticket
$5.81CLPΒ 5,222
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
-36.43%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$438CLPΒ 394.0K
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
-37.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6CLPΒ 46.4K
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
-13.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.86CLPΒ 26.8K
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
-14.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.1CLPΒ 55.8K
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-46.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.2CLPΒ 74.8K
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
-1.01%
π Accommodation & Living
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$486CLPΒ 436.4K
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
-21.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$373CLPΒ 335.5K
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
-13.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$892CLPΒ 801.6K
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
-56.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$592CLPΒ 531.7K
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
-60.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Coquimbo
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$661CLPΒ 594.3K
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
30.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
5.33
-2.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Coquimbo: June 7, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $486 in Coquimbo and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Coquimbo pays 30% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $45.00 in Coquimbo vs $47.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $293 per month, with Coquimbo cheaper across the board.
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
Coquimbo vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Coquimbo and Phuket?
Coquimbo and Phuket differ by about 18% in total monthly costs ($1,069 vs $1,261 including rent). Coquimbo is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Coquimbo or Phuket?
Coquimbo pays 30% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Coquimbo and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $486 in Coquimbo versus $619 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Coquimbo and Phuket?
Childcare runs $438 in Coquimbo versus $703 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Coquimbo β a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $47.00 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $1,261 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Coquimbo but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Coquimbo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Coquimbo 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 Coquimbo or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Coquimbo 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: Coquimbo or Phuket?
Expats usually find Coquimbo gentler on the wallet β expenses run 18% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.