๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $1,261 in Phuket.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,132 in Kaลกtela versus $2,286 in Phuket.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,908 in Kaลกtela versus $3,310 in Phuket.
๐Living in Kaลกtela is roughly 8% more expensive than Phuket, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Kaลกtela is 1% above, Phuket is 6% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.04โฌ13.82
$4.56เธฟ149
251.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.8โฌ69.6
$46.63เธฟ1,519
73.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.12โฌ7.86
$8.47เธฟ276
7.67%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.49
$3.03เธฟ98.6
-4.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40โฌ2.93
$0.69เธฟ22.45
392.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53โฌ2.18
$0.37เธฟ11.92
583.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51โฌ3.89
$2.49เธฟ81.0
81.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81โฌ3.28
$3.66เธฟ119
4.10%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$2.18เธฟ71.0
-36.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57โฌ1.36
$1.90เธฟ62.0
-17.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.12โฌ2.69
$2.20เธฟ71.6
41.82%
Eggs
$3.92โฌ3.38
$2.22เธฟ72.4
76.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.05โฌ8.66
$19.99เธฟ651
-49.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.40โฌ8.10
$3.66เธฟ119
156.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.85โฌ11.07
$13.25เธฟ432
-3.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$3.23เธฟ105
-44.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$1.70เธฟ55.3
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16โฌ1.86
$2.39เธฟ78.0
-9.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27โฌ1.96
$2.08เธฟ67.7
9.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53โฌ1.32
$1.59เธฟ51.8
-3.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.40โฌ1.20
$1.48เธฟ48.31
-5.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36โฌ1.17
$1.03เธฟ33.54
32.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25โฌ1.08
$0.52เธฟ16.83
140.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.85โฌ5.04
$4.25เธฟ138
37.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.51โฌ6.47
$18.79เธฟ612
-60.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34โฌ1.15
$1.76เธฟ57.2
-23.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13โฌ0.97
$2.76เธฟ89.8
-59.06%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$1.36เธฟ44.32
73.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.44โฌ32.26
$11.36เธฟ370
229.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54โฌ3.05
$3.14เธฟ102
12.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12โฌ1.83
$1.04เธฟ33.74
103.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.03โฌ7.78
$13.77เธฟ448
-34.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$1.34เธฟ43.79
33.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4Kโฌ33.1K
$27.7Kเธฟ901.4K
38.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$33.9Kเธฟ1.1M
-21.59%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183โฌ158
$124เธฟ4,025
48.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.81โฌ20.52
$13.52เธฟ440
76.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.04โฌ21.57
$18.69เธฟ609
33.98%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.5โฌ50.4
$61.8เธฟ2,013
-5.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.43โฌ12.44
$17.25เธฟ562
-16.35%
Cinema Ticket
$9.35โฌ8.06
$9.14เธฟ298
2.30%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$188โฌ162
$703เธฟ22.9K
-73.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,363โฌ1,174
$15.9Kเธฟ517.0K
-91.41%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.4โฌ71.0
$59.5เธฟ1,937
38.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.53โฌ24.58
$35.07เธฟ1,142
-18.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109โฌ93.5
$115เธฟ3,754
-5.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106โฌ91.2
$84.1เธฟ2,737
25.91%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483โฌ416
$619เธฟ20.1K
-21.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$341โฌ293
$433เธฟ14.1K
-21.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$603โฌ519
$2,062เธฟ67.2K
-70.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$551โฌ475
$1,511เธฟ49.2K
-63.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,400โฌ2,929
$3,646เธฟ118.7K
-6.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,500โฌ2,154
$2,626เธฟ85.5K
-4.79%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$888โฌ765
$507เธฟ16.5K
75.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
5.33
-18.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: June 8, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $483 in Kaลกtela and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐKaลกtela pays 75% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $81.0 in Kaลกtela vs $47.00 in Phuket. Groceries flip the comparison at $264 vs $293, with Kaลกtela cheaper for home cooking.
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
Kaลกtela vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kaลกtela and Phuket?
Kaลกtela and Phuket differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($1,356 vs $1,261 including rent). Phuket is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Kaลกtela or Phuket?
Kaลกtela pays 75% 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 Kaลกtela and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $483 in Kaลกtela 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 Kaลกtela and Phuket?
A monthly transit pass in Phuket runs roughly 230% less than in Kaลกtela. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kaลกtela and Phuket?
Childcare runs $188 in Kaลกtela 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 $1,500 per month?
At $1,261 in Phuket versus $1,356 in Kaลกtela, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Kaลกtela. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kaลกtela and Phuket?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kaลกtela or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kaลกtela 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: Kaลกtela or Phuket?
Expats usually find Phuket gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 8% less than in Kaลกtela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.