Cost of Living Comparison Between Maltepe and PhuketCost of Living Comparison Between Maltepe and Phuket
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,095 per month in Maltepe vs $1,261 in Phuket, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,678 per month in Maltepe vs $2,286 in Phuket, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,261 per month in Maltepe vs $3,310 in Phuket, rent included.
πMaltepe is about 13% cheaper than Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Maltepe and Phuket are more affordable than the global median β Maltepe19% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.39βΊ527
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
149.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.07βΊ1,391
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
-35.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.52βΊ302
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
-23.02%
Cappuccino
$2.37βΊ110
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
-21.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00βΊ46.23
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
44.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37βΊ17.11
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.00βΊ92.5
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
-19.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57βΊ119
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-29.78%
π Groceries & Markets
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00βΊ46.27
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-54.13%
White Bread(500g)
$0.69βΊ31.88
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
-63.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19βΊ101
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
-0.45%
Eggs
$2.18βΊ101
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
-1.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.51βΊ440
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
-52.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.91βΊ227
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
34.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.85βΊ918
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
49.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.44βΊ66.6
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-55.42%
Banana(1kg)
$2.17βΊ100
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
27.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.29βΊ59.7
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
-46.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.64βΊ75.7
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
-21.15%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70βΊ32.26
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-55.97%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67βΊ31.05
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
-54.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67βΊ30.91
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
-34.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62βΊ28.65
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
19.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.12βΊ98.1
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
-50.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.70βΊ495
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-43.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.20βΊ102
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15βΊ146
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
14.13%
π Getting Around
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.98
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
-53.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.26βΊ1,400
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
166.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ48.76
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
-66.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62βΊ28.89
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
-40.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.83βΊ408
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
-35.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21βΊ56.1
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
-9.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$46.2KβΊ2.1M
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
66.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ2.0M
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
26.73%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.4βΊ2,887
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
-49.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.58βΊ536
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
-14.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.72βΊ589
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
-31.94%
π Sport & Entertainment
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.99βΊ2,035
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-28.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.45βΊ345
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
-18.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$943βΊ43.6K
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
34.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,949βΊ275.2K
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
-62.52%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.01βΊ1,851
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
-32.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.69βΊ2,114
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
30.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.9βΊ2,678
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-49.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107βΊ4,947
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
27.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$513βΊ23.7K
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
-17.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390βΊ18.1K
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
-9.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$875βΊ40.5K
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
-57.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$718βΊ33.2K
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
-52.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,470βΊ68.0K
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-59.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$795βΊ36.8K
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-69.72%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Maltepe
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
32
5.33
500.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maltepe: June 7, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $513 in Maltepe versus $619 in Phuket. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Maltepe versus $47.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $233 vs $293 β making Maltepe 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
Maltepe vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Maltepe?
Yes β Phuket is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,643 per month in Maltepe and $1,892 in Phuket. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Maltepe, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Maltepe and Phuket?
Groceries cost about 26% more in Phuket, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Maltepe or Phuket?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Maltepe, where all-in costs run around $1,095, than in Phuket at $1,261. In Maltepe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Maltepe or Phuket more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Maltepe β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Maltepe or Phuket?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Maltepe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Phuket makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.