Cost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and PhuketCost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and Phuket
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,045 per month in Mamaia vs $1,232 in Phuket, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,599 per month in Mamaia vs $2,255 in Phuket, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,153 per month in Mamaia vs $3,279 in Phuket, rent included.
πMamaia is about 15% cheaper than Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Mamaia and Phuket are more affordable than the global median β Mamaia22% lower, Phuket8% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.81RONΒ 42.67
$4.63ΰΈΏ151
111.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.66RONΒ 203
$46.84ΰΈΏ1,523
-0.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.04RONΒ 34.99
$8.84ΰΈΏ287
-9.05%
Cappuccino
$2.56RONΒ 11.15
$3.00ΰΈΏ97.4
-14.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91RONΒ 8.29
$0.74ΰΈΏ24.11
158.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73RONΒ 7.53
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.88
367.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.29RONΒ 9.95
$2.44ΰΈΏ79.3
-6.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78RONΒ 12.08
$3.61ΰΈΏ117
-22.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RONΒ 6.63
$2.26ΰΈΏ73.5
-32.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22RONΒ 5.29
$1.84ΰΈΏ59.8
-33.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67RONΒ 7.27
$2.24ΰΈΏ73.0
-25.45%
Eggs
$3.33RONΒ 14.48
$2.32ΰΈΏ75.3
43.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.60RONΒ 37.40
$19.67ΰΈΏ639
-56.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.57RONΒ 28.58
$3.65ΰΈΏ119
80.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.75RONΒ 42.43
$13.10ΰΈΏ426
-25.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18RONΒ 5.11
$3.39ΰΈΏ110
-65.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53RONΒ 6.67
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.4
-6.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55RONΒ 6.76
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.5
-35.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.11RONΒ 9.18
$2.03ΰΈΏ66.0
3.94%
Potato(1kg)
$0.81RONΒ 3.54
$1.56ΰΈΏ50.6
-48.08%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90RONΒ 3.91
$1.50ΰΈΏ48.66
-40.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.88RONΒ 3.83
$1.02ΰΈΏ33.30
-13.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83RONΒ 3.63
$0.49ΰΈΏ15.91
69.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.92RONΒ 25.75
$4.45ΰΈΏ145
33.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.21RONΒ 27.03
$18.88ΰΈΏ614
-67.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02RONΒ 4.45
$1.78ΰΈΏ57.7
-42.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69RONΒ 7.35
$2.75ΰΈΏ89.5
-38.55%
π Getting Around
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.72RONΒ 3.14
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.54
-48.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.66RONΒ 85.5
$11.48ΰΈΏ373
71.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76RONΒ 3.29
$3.12ΰΈΏ101
-75.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71RONΒ 3.10
$1.00ΰΈΏ32.48
-29.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.75RONΒ 29.36
$14.09ΰΈΏ458
-52.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62RONΒ 7.06
$1.35ΰΈΏ43.93
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9KRONΒ 121.2K
$27.2KΰΈΏ883.7K
2.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KRONΒ 118.1K
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-17.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$144RONΒ 628
$125ΰΈΏ4,063
15.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.88RONΒ 34.29
$13.57ΰΈΏ441
-41.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.93RONΒ 38.85
$18.52ΰΈΏ602
-51.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.39RONΒ 180
$61.5ΰΈΏ1,999
-32.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.09RONΒ 83.1
$16.84ΰΈΏ547
13.36%
Cinema Ticket
$6.89RONΒ 29.97
$9.19ΰΈΏ299
-25.03%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427RONΒ 1,858
$698ΰΈΏ22.7K
-38.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,823RONΒ 29.7K
$15.6KΰΈΏ506.9K
-56.24%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.6RONΒ 294
$57.8ΰΈΏ1,878
17.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.61RONΒ 172
$35.24ΰΈΏ1,146
12.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.4RONΒ 328
$113ΰΈΏ3,677
-33.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.3RONΒ 410
$86.4ΰΈΏ2,808
9.15%
π Accommodation & Living
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$383RONΒ 1,664
$616ΰΈΏ20.0K
-37.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$287RONΒ 1,250
$446ΰΈΏ14.5K
-35.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$598RONΒ 2,601
$2,048ΰΈΏ66.6K
-70.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446RONΒ 1,939
$1,492ΰΈΏ48.5K
-70.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,910RONΒ 8,310
$3,779ΰΈΏ122.8K
-49.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,486RONΒ 6,464
$2,649ΰΈΏ86.1K
-43.90%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$524ΰΈΏ17.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
5.33
21.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mamaia: April 27, 2026
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $383 in Mamaia versus $616 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 $47.00 in Mamaia versus $47.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $292 β making Mamaia 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
Mamaia vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mamaia and Phuket compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,045 in Mamaia, $1,232 in Phuket β roughly 18% apart. Phuket costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mamaia compared to Phuket?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,568 per month in Mamaia and $1,847 in Phuket. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mamaia and Phuket?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mamaia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Mamaia and Phuket?
Public transport costs about 71% less in Mamaia. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mamaia and Phuket?
Kindergarten costs $427 per month in Mamaia and $698 in Phuket. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mamaia, where all-in costs run around $1,045, than in Phuket at $1,232. In Mamaia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Mamaia and Phuket?
It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,045 in Mamaia to $1,232 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Mamaia 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 Mamaia and Phuket?
If budget matters most, go with Mamaia. 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.