Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Manzini and Phuket

For one person, living is cheaper in Manzini: $359 a month against $1,294 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $11,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Manzini, Eswatini
Phuket, Thailand
Manzini
🇸🇿 Eswatini
$359
/mo nomad
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,294
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Manzini and in Phuket

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Manzini and in Phuket actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $359 per month in Manzini vs $1,294 in Phuket, rent included.

  • Manzini $359
  • Phuket $1,294

A couple spends around $383 per month in Manzini vs $2,204 in Phuket, rent included.

  • Manzini $383
  • Phuket $2,204

A family of three spends $406 per month in Manzini vs $3,115 in Phuket, rent included.

  • Manzini $406
  • Phuket $3,115

Manzini is about 72% cheaper than Phuket, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Manzini and Phuket are more affordable than the global median – Manzini 73% lower, Phuket 4% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$4.39 ฿148
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.31 ฿1,089
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$8.70 ฿293
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.72 ฿91.8
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.93 ฿31.35
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.50 ฿16.83
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.53 ฿85.3
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.63 ฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 SZL 20.99
$1.74 ฿58.6
-27.01%
White Bread (500g)
$0.89 SZL 14.74
$1.45 ฿48.89
-38.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.75 SZL 29.03
$1.50 ฿50.6
16.67%
Eggs
$1.17 SZL 19.37
$2.17 ฿73.2
-46.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.14 SZL 118
$19.09 ฿643
-62.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.96 SZL 49.15
$3.40 ฿115
-12.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$1.77 SZL 29.29
$10.90 ฿367
-83.76%
Apples (1kg)
$1.37 SZL 22.75
$2.94 ฿99.1
-53.40%
Banana (1kg)
$0.63 SZL 10.42
$1.69 ฿57.0
-62.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.76 SZL 12.62
$2.19 ฿73.9
-65.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.49 SZL 8.14
$2.12 ฿71.6
-76.89%
Potato (1kg)
$0.61 SZL 10.15
$1.46 ฿49.15
-58.22%
Onion (1kg)
$0.46 SZL 7.68
$1.37 ฿46.10
-66.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.40 SZL 6.67
$1.08 ฿36.26
-62.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 SZL 10.44
$0.55 ฿18.38
14.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96 SZL 49.11
$4.43 ฿149
-33.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.32 SZL 55.1
$18.25 ฿615
-81.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 SZL 9.61
$1.77 ฿59.7
-67.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 SZL 13.10
$2.88 ฿97.1
-72.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.62 SZL 10.25
$1.45 ฿48.78
-57.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.9 ฿1,850
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.51 ฿51.0
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.78 ฿26.14
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.84 ฿129
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 SZL 22.10
$1.49 ฿50.1
-10.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7K SZL 276.4K
$26.9K ฿905.9K
-37.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.6K SZL 258.2K
$26.3K ฿887.8K
-40.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.2 SZL 1,197
$97.8 ฿3,296
-26.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.21 SZL 202
$11.29 ฿381
8.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.64 SZL 492
$17.19 ฿579
72.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$68.3 ฿2,303
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.92 ฿368
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.65 SZL 60.5
$7.43 ฿250
-50.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$530 ฿17.9K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$18.8K ฿632.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$61.7 ฿2,078
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$28.25 ฿952
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$96.0 ฿3,235
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$86.8 ฿2,926
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$177 SZL 2,937
$721 ฿24.3K
-75.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$121 SZL 2,012
$509 ฿17.1K
-76.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,950 ฿65.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,397 ฿47.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,192 ฿141.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,298 ฿111.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manzini
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$482 SZL 7,985
$492 ฿16.6K
-2.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10
5.57
79.53%

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

Last update for Manzini: November 2, 2026

Last update for Phuket: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Manzini
–
Phuket
$509
Groceries & Markets
Manzini
–
Phuket
$267
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manzini
–
Phuket
$126
Clothing & Footwear
Manzini
–
Phuket
$123
Eating Out
Manzini
–
Phuket
$120
Sport & Entertainment
Manzini
–
Phuket
$83
Getting Around
Manzini
–
Phuket
$66

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $177 in Manzini versus $721 in Phuket. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Good to know
🇸🇿 Manzini
🇹🇭 Phuket
🕒 Local time
16:08 4:08 PM
21:08 9:08 PM
5 h ahead of Manzini
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
110,508
79,308
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to SZL – Eswatini Lilangeni Converter

Eswatini Lilangeni exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 16.58 SZL (100 SZL = 6.03 USD). 1 EUR = 18.57 SZL (100 SZL = 5.39 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 33.7 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.73 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Manzini Phuket 8,170 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Manzini
  • Phuket

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Manzini vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manzini or Phuket?
Phuket costs about 260% more than Manzini, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Manzini and in Phuket?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $539 per month in Manzini and $1,940 in Phuket. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Manzini or Phuket?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Manzini, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $177 there versus $721 in Phuket.
How much does it cost to live in Manzini compared to Phuket?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $359 in Manzini and $1,294 in Phuket. That makes Manzini about 72% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Manzini or in Phuket?
Groceries cost about 134% more in Phuket, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Manzini or in Phuket?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Manzini, where all-in costs run around $359, than in Phuket at $1,294. In Manzini it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Manzini or Phuket?
It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $359 in Manzini to $1,294 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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