Cost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and Phuket Cost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and Phuket

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,045 per month in Mamaia vs $1,232 in Phuket, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Mamaia vs $2,255 in Phuket, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,153 per month in Mamaia vs $3,279 in Phuket, rent included.

Mamaia is about 15% cheaper than Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Mamaia and Phuket are more affordable than the global median – Mamaia 22% lower, Phuket 8% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.81 RONΒ 42.67
$4.63 ΰΈΏ151
111.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.66 RONΒ 203
$46.84 ΰΈΏ1,523
-0.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.04 RONΒ 34.99
$8.84 ΰΈΏ287
-9.05%
Cappuccino
$2.56 RONΒ 11.15
$3.00 ΰΈΏ97.4
-14.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91 RONΒ 8.29
$0.74 ΰΈΏ24.11
158.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 RONΒ 7.53
$0.37 ΰΈΏ11.88
367.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.29 RONΒ 9.95
$2.44 ΰΈΏ79.3
-6.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 RONΒ 12.08
$3.61 ΰΈΏ117
-22.99%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.52 RONΒ 6.63
$2.26 ΰΈΏ73.5
-32.74%
White Bread (500g)
$1.22 RONΒ 5.29
$1.84 ΰΈΏ59.8
-33.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 RONΒ 7.27
$2.24 ΰΈΏ73.0
-25.45%
Eggs
$3.33 RONΒ 14.48
$2.32 ΰΈΏ75.3
43.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.60 RONΒ 37.40
$19.67 ΰΈΏ639
-56.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.57 RONΒ 28.58
$3.65 ΰΈΏ119
80.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.75 RONΒ 42.43
$13.10 ΰΈΏ426
-25.57%
Apples (1kg)
$1.18 RONΒ 5.11
$3.39 ΰΈΏ110
-65.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 RONΒ 6.67
$1.64 ΰΈΏ53.4
-6.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.55 RONΒ 6.76
$2.41 ΰΈΏ78.5
-35.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.11 RONΒ 9.18
$2.03 ΰΈΏ66.0
3.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.81 RONΒ 3.54
$1.56 ΰΈΏ50.6
-48.08%
Onion (1kg)
$0.90 RONΒ 3.91
$1.50 ΰΈΏ48.66
-40.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.88 RONΒ 3.83
$1.02 ΰΈΏ33.30
-13.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83 RONΒ 3.63
$0.49 ΰΈΏ15.91
69.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.92 RONΒ 25.75
$4.45 ΰΈΏ145
33.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.21 RONΒ 27.03
$18.88 ΰΈΏ614
-67.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 RONΒ 4.45
$1.78 ΰΈΏ57.7
-42.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 RONΒ 7.35
$2.75 ΰΈΏ89.5
-38.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.72 RONΒ 3.14
$1.40 ΰΈΏ45.54
-48.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.66 RONΒ 85.5
$11.48 ΰΈΏ373
71.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.76 RONΒ 3.29
$3.12 ΰΈΏ101
-75.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 RONΒ 3.10
$1.00 ΰΈΏ32.48
-29.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.75 RONΒ 29.36
$14.09 ΰΈΏ458
-52.09%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.62 RONΒ 7.06
$1.35 ΰΈΏ43.93
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K RONΒ 121.2K
$27.2K ΰΈΏ883.7K
2.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K RONΒ 118.1K
$32.9K ΰΈΏ1.1M
-17.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$144 RONΒ 628
$125 ΰΈΏ4,063
15.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.88 RONΒ 34.29
$13.57 ΰΈΏ441
-41.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.93 RONΒ 38.85
$18.52 ΰΈΏ602
-51.78%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.39 RONΒ 180
$61.5 ΰΈΏ1,999
-32.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.09 RONΒ 83.1
$16.84 ΰΈΏ547
13.36%
Cinema Ticket
$6.89 RONΒ 29.97
$9.19 ΰΈΏ299
-25.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 RONΒ 1,858
$698 ΰΈΏ22.7K
-38.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,823 RONΒ 29.7K
$15.6K ΰΈΏ506.9K
-56.24%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.6 RONΒ 294
$57.8 ΰΈΏ1,878
17.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.61 RONΒ 172
$35.24 ΰΈΏ1,146
12.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.4 RONΒ 328
$113 ΰΈΏ3,677
-33.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.3 RONΒ 410
$86.4 ΰΈΏ2,808
9.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$383 RONΒ 1,664
$616 ΰΈΏ20.0K
-37.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$287 RONΒ 1,250
$446 ΰΈΏ14.5K
-35.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$598 RONΒ 2,601
$2,048 ΰΈΏ66.6K
-70.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$446 RONΒ 1,939
$1,492 ΰΈΏ48.5K
-70.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,910 RONΒ 8,310
$3,779 ΰΈΏ122.8K
-49.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,486 RONΒ 6,464
$2,649 ΰΈΏ86.1K
-43.90%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Mamaia
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$524 ΰΈΏ17.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
5.33
21.95%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mamaia: April 27, 2026

Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Mamaia versus $47.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $292 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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.

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