πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $996 in Manavgat versus $1,232 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,578 in Manavgat versus $2,255 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,161 in Manavgat versus $3,279 in Phuket.
πLiving in Manavgat costs roughly 19% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Manavgat26% lower, Phuket8% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.91βΊ312
$4.63ΰΈΏ151
49.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.66βΊ1,249
$46.84ΰΈΏ1,532
-40.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.02βΊ182
$8.84ΰΈΏ289
-54.52%
Cappuccino
$2.65βΊ120
$3.00ΰΈΏ98.0
-11.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73βΊ78.1
$0.74ΰΈΏ24.25
133.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26βΊ11.65
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.95
-29.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.68βΊ121
$2.44ΰΈΏ79.8
9.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74βΊ124
$3.61ΰΈΏ118
-24.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.90βΊ40.73
$2.26ΰΈΏ73.9
-60.18%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99βΊ44.83
$1.84ΰΈΏ60.1
-46.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10βΊ49.75
$2.24ΰΈΏ73.4
-50.89%
Eggs
$1.78βΊ80.4
$2.32ΰΈΏ75.7
-23.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.29βΊ374
$19.67ΰΈΏ643
-57.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.43βΊ245
$3.65ΰΈΏ119
48.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.29βΊ871
$13.10ΰΈΏ428
47.25%
Apples(1kg)
$0.70βΊ31.69
$3.39ΰΈΏ111
-79.35%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07βΊ93.6
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.7
26.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.66βΊ29.89
$2.41ΰΈΏ79.0
-72.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.10βΊ49.61
$2.03ΰΈΏ66.4
-45.81%
Potato(1kg)
$0.57βΊ25.54
$1.56ΰΈΏ50.9
-63.46%
Onion(1kg)
$0.28βΊ12.68
$1.50ΰΈΏ48.94
-81.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33βΊ14.80
$1.02ΰΈΏ33.50
-67.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34βΊ15.38
$0.49ΰΈΏ16.00
-30.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.01βΊ90.8
$4.45ΰΈΏ145
-54.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.46βΊ337
$18.88ΰΈΏ617
-60.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68βΊ75.9
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.1
-5.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14βΊ96.4
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.1
-22.18%
π Getting Around
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64βΊ28.80
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.81
-54.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.98βΊ1,399
$11.48ΰΈΏ376
169.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ47.61
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
-66.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.08βΊ48.60
$1.00ΰΈΏ32.67
8.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.47βΊ337
$14.09ΰΈΏ461
-46.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24βΊ56.0
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.19
-8.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.1KβΊ1.8M
$27.2KΰΈΏ888.9K
47.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.0KβΊ1.9M
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
27.49%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.72βΊ2,199
$125ΰΈΏ4,087
-61.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.99βΊ361
$13.57ΰΈΏ444
-41.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.70βΊ709
$18.52ΰΈΏ606
-15.23%
π Sport & Entertainment
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.83βΊ1,933
$61.5ΰΈΏ2,010
-30.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.49βΊ925
$16.84ΰΈΏ551
21.67%
Cinema Ticket
$6.53βΊ295
$9.19ΰΈΏ300
-28.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$601βΊ27.1K
$698ΰΈΏ22.8K
-13.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,914βΊ402.4K
$15.6KΰΈΏ509.9K
-42.83%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.23βΊ2,177
$57.8ΰΈΏ1,889
-16.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.21βΊ1,228
$35.24ΰΈΏ1,152
-22.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107βΊ4,825
$113ΰΈΏ3,699
-5.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108βΊ4,886
$86.4ΰΈΏ2,825
25.32%
π Accommodation & Living
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508βΊ22.9K
$616ΰΈΏ20.1K
-17.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$392βΊ17.7K
$446ΰΈΏ14.6K
-12.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903βΊ40.8K
$2,048ΰΈΏ67.0K
-55.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$700βΊ31.6K
$1,492ΰΈΏ48.8K
-53.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,153βΊ52.0K
$3,779ΰΈΏ123.6K
-69.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$957βΊ43.2K
$2,649ΰΈΏ86.6K
-63.87%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Manavgat
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$733βΊ33.1K
$524ΰΈΏ17.1K
39.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20
5.33
275.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manavgat: April 25, 2026
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $508 in Manavgat and $616 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Manavgat pays 40% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $28.00 in Manavgat vs $47.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $200 vs $292 per month, with Manavgat cheaper across the board.
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
Manavgat vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Manavgat and Phuket?
Manavgat and Phuket differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($996 vs $1,232 including rent). Manavgat is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Manavgat or Phuket?
Manavgat pays 40% 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 Manavgat and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $508 in Manavgat versus $616 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Manavgat β a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $47.00 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manavgat or Phuket?
All in, you'll spend $996 per month in Manavgat versus $1,232 in Phuket β a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $996 in Manavgat versus $1,232 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Manavgat but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Manavgat the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Manavgat and Phuket?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Manavgat or Phuket safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Manavgat 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: Manavgat or Phuket?
Expats usually find Manavgat gentler on the wallet β expenses run 24% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.