🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $668 in Hai Phong versus $1,265 in Phuket.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,273 in Hai Phong versus $2,297 in Phuket.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,879 in Hai Phong versus $3,329 in Phuket.
🙂Living in Hai Phong costs roughly 47% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Hai Phong50% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57₫41.3K
$4.70฿153
-66.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.77₫519.6K
$45.37฿1,482
-56.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.33₫113.9K
$8.43฿275
-48.64%
Cappuccino
$1.78₫46.8K
$2.93฿95.6
-39.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.7K
$0.69฿22.40
-30.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25₫6,510
$0.37฿11.99
-32.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.74₫19.5K
$2.41฿78.6
-69.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55₫40.7K
$3.72฿122
-58.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.41₫37.1K
$2.23฿72.9
-36.77%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58₫15.2K
$1.83฿59.8
-68.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.92₫24.2K
$2.17฿70.8
-57.60%
Eggs
$1.52₫39.8K
$2.21฿72.3
-31.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.14₫240.3K
$19.74฿645
-53.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77₫99.0K
$3.63฿119
3.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.40₫220.8K
$13.53฿442
-37.92%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39₫89.0K
$3.28฿107
3.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.01₫26.7K
$1.61฿52.6
-37.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64₫43.2K
$2.41฿78.6
-31.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09₫28.6K
$2.08฿68.1
-47.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04₫27.2K
$1.53฿49.93
-32.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01₫26.6K
$1.48฿48.36
-31.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.56₫14.7K
$0.99฿32.29
-43.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52₫13.7K
$0.51฿16.67
1.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.22₫32.1K
$4.41฿144
-72.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.40₫325.8K
$19.38฿633
-36.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.78₫20.6K
$1.78฿58.1
-56.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83₫48.0K
$2.71฿88.6
-32.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42₫10.9K
$1.37฿44.79
-69.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.92₫155.6K
$11.39฿372
-48.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.73₫19.2K
$3.02฿98.6
-75.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.57₫15.0K
$0.99฿32.48
-42.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.66₫43.6K
$14.10฿461
-88.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86₫22.7K
$1.36฿44.51
-36.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5K₫1.0B
$28.2K฿921.1K
36.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K₫828.9M
$32.9K฿1.1M
-4.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.58₫987.5K
$122฿3,975
-69.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.26₫138.1K
$13.57฿443
-61.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.71₫229.0K
$18.31฿598
-52.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.87₫600.9K
$60.2฿1,967
-62.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.60₫199.7K
$17.14฿560
-55.66%
Cinema Ticket
$3.73₫98.0K
$8.69฿284
-57.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$268₫7.0M
$693฿22.6K
-61.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K₫311.2M
$15.7K฿512.3K
-24.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.91₫1.2M
$59.5฿1,944
-24.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.95₫603.0K
$34.77฿1,136
-33.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.2₫2.3M
$115฿3,743
-23.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5₫1.9M
$83.3฿2,720
-11.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402₫10.6M
$613฿20.0K
-34.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$243₫6.4M
$437฿14.3K
-44.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$685₫18.0M
$2,094฿68.4K
-67.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$864₫22.7M
$1,509฿49.3K
-42.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,831₫100.7M
$3,749฿122.5K
2.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,513₫39.8M
$2,616฿85.4K
-42.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hai Phong
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$493₫12.9M
$508฿16.6K
-3.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.99
5.33
12.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hai Phong: June 1, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $402 in Hai Phong and $613 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Phuket pays 3% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $20.00 in Hai Phong vs $45.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $182 vs $293 per month, with Hai Phong 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
Hai Phong vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hai Phong and Phuket?
Hai Phong and Phuket differ by about 89% in total monthly costs ($668 vs $1,265 including rent). Hai Phong is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Phuket earns 3% 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 Hai Phong and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $402 in Hai Phong versus $613 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hai Phong or Phuket?
All in, you'll spend $668 per month in Hai Phong versus $1,265 in Phuket – a 89% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hai Phong and Phuket?
A monthly transit pass in Hai Phong runs roughly 92% less than in Phuket. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $668 in Hai Phong versus $1,265 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Hai Phong but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Hai Phong the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Hai Phong 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 Hai Phong or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hai Phong 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: Hai Phong or Phuket?
Expats usually find Hai Phong gentler on the wallet – expenses run 89% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.