πA single person spends $1,015 per month in Paramaribo vs $1,265 in Phuket, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,740 per month in Paramaribo vs $2,297 in Phuket, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,464 per month in Paramaribo vs $3,329 in Phuket, rent included.
πParamaribo is about 20% cheaper than Phuket, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Paramaribo and Phuket are more affordable than the global median β Paramaribo24% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.42SRDΒ 311
$4.70ΰΈΏ153
79.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.33SRDΒ 1,598
$45.37ΰΈΏ1,482
-4.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32SRDΒ 381
$8.43ΰΈΏ275
22.42%
Cappuccino
$2.66SRDΒ 98.1
$2.93ΰΈΏ95.6
-9.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18SRDΒ 43.71
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.40
71.01%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SRDΒ 28.97
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.99
113.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95SRDΒ 109
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
22.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16SRDΒ 154
$3.72ΰΈΏ122
11.83%
π Groceries & Markets
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80SRDΒ 66.5
$2.23ΰΈΏ72.9
-19.28%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26SRDΒ 46.65
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.8
-31.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67SRDΒ 61.8
$2.17ΰΈΏ70.8
-23.04%
Eggs
$3.46SRDΒ 128
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.3
56.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.61SRDΒ 465
$19.74ΰΈΏ645
-36.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.71SRDΒ 211
$3.63ΰΈΏ119
57.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.77SRDΒ 361
$13.53ΰΈΏ442
-27.79%
Apples(1kg)
$4.39SRDΒ 162
$3.28ΰΈΏ107
33.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96SRDΒ 72.5
$1.61ΰΈΏ52.6
21.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.25SRDΒ 120
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
34.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.51SRDΒ 203
$2.08ΰΈΏ68.1
164.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SRDΒ 47.11
$1.53ΰΈΏ49.93
-16.34%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01SRDΒ 74.2
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.36
35.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.91SRDΒ 70.3
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.29
92.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53SRDΒ 56.3
$0.51ΰΈΏ16.67
200.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.71SRDΒ 211
$4.41ΰΈΏ144
29.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.84SRDΒ 289
$19.38ΰΈΏ633
-59.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21SRDΒ 81.7
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.1
24.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28SRDΒ 121
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.6
21.03%
π Getting Around
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45SRDΒ 16.68
$1.37ΰΈΏ44.79
-67.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$91.4SRDΒ 3,370
$11.39ΰΈΏ372
702.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.02SRDΒ 111
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.6
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.46SRDΒ 90.7
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.48
148.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.93SRDΒ 366
$14.10ΰΈΏ461
-29.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14SRDΒ 41.87
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.51
-16.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1KSRDΒ 925.9K
$28.2KΰΈΏ921.1K
-11.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KSRDΒ 931.6K
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-23.25%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.72SRDΒ 1,465
$122ΰΈΏ3,975
-67.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.69SRDΒ 948
$13.57ΰΈΏ443
89.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.40SRDΒ 1,085
$18.31ΰΈΏ598
60.57%
π Sport & Entertainment
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.83SRDΒ 473
$60.2ΰΈΏ1,967
-78.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.21SRDΒ 745
$17.14ΰΈΏ560
17.91%
Cinema Ticket
$4.57SRDΒ 169
$8.69ΰΈΏ284
-47.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$63.4SRDΒ 2,338
$693ΰΈΏ22.6K
-90.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,939SRDΒ 71.5K
$15.7KΰΈΏ512.3K
-87.64%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.87SRDΒ 1,323
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,944
-39.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.12SRDΒ 1,037
$34.77ΰΈΏ1,136
-19.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.3SRDΒ 2,816
$115ΰΈΏ3,743
-33.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111SRDΒ 4,107
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,720
33.67%
π Accommodation & Living
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$496SRDΒ 18.3K
$613ΰΈΏ20.0K
-19.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$214SRDΒ 7,878
$437ΰΈΏ14.3K
-51.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,087SRDΒ 40.1K
$2,094ΰΈΏ68.4K
-48.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$570SRDΒ 21.0K
$1,509ΰΈΏ49.3K
-62.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$479SRDΒ 17.7K
$3,749ΰΈΏ122.5K
-87.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$395SRDΒ 14.6K
$2,616ΰΈΏ85.4K
-84.89%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$278SRDΒ 10.3K
$508ΰΈΏ16.6K
-45.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16
5.33
200.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Paramaribo: June 1, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $496 in Paramaribo versus $613 in Phuket. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 83% higher in Phuket, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Paramaribo versus $45.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $293 β making Paramaribo 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
Paramaribo vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Paramaribo or Phuket?
Phuket costs about 25% more than Paramaribo, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. 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 Paramaribo vs Phuket?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,523 per month in Paramaribo and $1,898 in Phuket. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Paramaribo or Phuket?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Paramaribo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Paramaribo and Phuket?
Kindergarten costs $63.4 per month in Paramaribo and $693 in Phuket. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Paramaribo or Phuket?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Phuket, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Paramaribo or Phuket?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Paramaribo, where all-in costs run around $1,015, than in Phuket at $1,265. In Paramaribo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Paramaribo or Phuket?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Paramaribo costs $1,015 versus $1,265 in Phuket. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Paramaribo compared to 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.
Should I move to Paramaribo or Phuket?
If budget matters most, go with Paramaribo. 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.
Paramaribo vs other spots: cost of living compared