πA single person spends $4,831 per month in Hamilton vs $1,265 in Phuket, rent included.
πA couple spends around $9,260 per month in Hamilton vs $2,297 in Phuket, rent included.
πA family of three spends $13.7K per month in Hamilton vs $3,329 in Phuket, rent included.
πHamilton costs about 282% more than Phuket, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πHamilton sits 261% above the global median, while Phuket is 6% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$60.6BMDΒ 60.6
$4.70ΰΈΏ153
1189.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$177BMDΒ 177
$45.37ΰΈΏ1,482
290.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.87BMDΒ 14.87
$8.43ΰΈΏ275
76.39%
Cappuccino
$6.46BMDΒ 6.46
$2.93ΰΈΏ95.6
120.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37BMDΒ 3.37
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.40
388.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90BMDΒ 2.90
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.99
683.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
321.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.44BMDΒ 8.44
$3.72ΰΈΏ122
126.88%
π Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.38BMDΒ 4.38
$2.23ΰΈΏ72.9
96.41%
White Bread(500g)
$8.71BMDΒ 8.71
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.8
375.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.59BMDΒ 5.59
$2.17ΰΈΏ70.8
157.60%
Eggs
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.3
250.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
$19.74ΰΈΏ645
-41.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.12BMDΒ 24.12
$3.63ΰΈΏ119
564.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$31.75BMDΒ 31.75
$13.53ΰΈΏ442
134.66%
Apples(1kg)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$3.28ΰΈΏ107
209.76%
Banana(1kg)
$6.18BMDΒ 6.18
$1.61ΰΈΏ52.6
283.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$12.86BMDΒ 12.86
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
433.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$11.27BMDΒ 11.27
$2.08ΰΈΏ68.1
441.83%
Potato(1kg)
$8.15BMDΒ 8.15
$1.53ΰΈΏ49.93
432.68%
Onion(1kg)
$4.96BMDΒ 4.96
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.36
235.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.06BMDΒ 6.06
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.29
512.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
$0.51ΰΈΏ16.67
529.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.58BMDΒ 17.58
$4.41ΰΈΏ144
298.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.56BMDΒ 24.56
$19.38ΰΈΏ633
26.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.47BMDΒ 5.47
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.1
207.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43BMDΒ 4.43
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.6
63.47%
π Getting Around
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.81BMDΒ 4.81
$1.37ΰΈΏ44.79
251.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.1BMDΒ 68.1
$11.39ΰΈΏ372
498.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.6
111.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.44BMDΒ 3.44
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.48
247.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.8BMDΒ 54.8
$14.10ΰΈΏ461
288.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.36BMDΒ 2.36
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.51
73.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0KBMDΒ 35.0K
$28.2KΰΈΏ921.1K
24.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KBMDΒ 39.7K
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
20.77%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234BMDΒ 234
$122ΰΈΏ3,975
92.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$117BMDΒ 117
$13.57ΰΈΏ443
765.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$156BMDΒ 156
$18.31ΰΈΏ598
751.17%
π Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$191BMDΒ 191
$60.2ΰΈΏ1,967
217.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.31BMDΒ 32.31
$17.14ΰΈΏ560
88.51%
Cinema Ticket
$13.73BMDΒ 13.73
$8.69ΰΈΏ284
58.00%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,338BMDΒ 1,338
$693ΰΈΏ22.6K
92.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.5KBMDΒ 24.5K
$15.7KΰΈΏ512.3K
56.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.8BMDΒ 78.8
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,944
32.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9BMDΒ 60.9
$34.77ΰΈΏ1,136
75.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138BMDΒ 138
$115ΰΈΏ3,743
20.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126BMDΒ 126
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,720
50.69%
π Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,342BMDΒ 3,342
$613ΰΈΏ20.0K
444.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,198BMDΒ 2,198
$437ΰΈΏ14.3K
403.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$8,541BMDΒ 8,541
$2,094ΰΈΏ68.4K
307.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$7,359BMDΒ 7,359
$1,509ΰΈΏ49.3K
387.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$15.1KBMDΒ 15.1K
$3,749ΰΈΏ122.5K
301.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$9,439BMDΒ 9,439
$2,616ΰΈΏ85.4K
260.87%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,759BMDΒ 6,759
$508ΰΈΏ16.6K
1230.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.22
5.33
35.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $3,342 in Hamilton versus $613 in Phuket. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 1230% higher in Hamilton, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $177 in Hamilton versus $45.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $813 vs $293 β making Phuket the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Hamilton vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hamilton and Phuket compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,831 in Hamilton, $1,265 in Phuket β roughly 282% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hamilton compared to Phuket?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,247 per month in Hamilton and $1,898 in Phuket. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hamilton and Phuket?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phuket, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hamilton or Phuket?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,831 in Hamilton and $1,265 in Phuket. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Phuket, where all-in costs run around $1,265, than in Hamilton at $4,831. In Phuket it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Hamilton and Phuket?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,265 in Phuket to $4,831 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hamilton or Phuket safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Hamilton and Phuket?
If budget matters most, go with Phuket. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.