Cost of Living Comparison Between Paramaribo and Phuket Cost of Living Comparison Between Paramaribo and Phuket

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,015 per month in Paramaribo vs $1,265 in Phuket, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,740 per month in Paramaribo vs $2,297 in Phuket, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,464 per month in Paramaribo vs $3,329 in Phuket, rent included.

Paramaribo is about 20% cheaper than Phuket, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Paramaribo and Phuket are more affordable than the global median – Paramaribo 24% lower, Phuket 6% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.42 SRDΒ 311
$4.70 ΰΈΏ153
79.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.33 SRDΒ 1,598
$45.37 ΰΈΏ1,482
-4.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.32 SRDΒ 381
$8.43 ΰΈΏ275
22.42%
Cappuccino
$2.66 SRDΒ 98.1
$2.93 ΰΈΏ95.6
-9.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 SRDΒ 43.71
$0.69 ΰΈΏ22.40
71.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 SRDΒ 28.97
$0.37 ΰΈΏ11.99
113.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 SRDΒ 109
$2.41 ΰΈΏ78.6
22.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16 SRDΒ 154
$3.72 ΰΈΏ122
11.83%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 SRDΒ 66.5
$2.23 ΰΈΏ72.9
-19.28%
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 SRDΒ 46.65
$1.83 ΰΈΏ59.8
-31.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 SRDΒ 61.8
$2.17 ΰΈΏ70.8
-23.04%
Eggs
$3.46 SRDΒ 128
$2.21 ΰΈΏ72.3
56.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.61 SRDΒ 465
$19.74 ΰΈΏ645
-36.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 SRDΒ 211
$3.63 ΰΈΏ119
57.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.77 SRDΒ 361
$13.53 ΰΈΏ442
-27.79%
Apples (1kg)
$4.39 SRDΒ 162
$3.28 ΰΈΏ107
33.84%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 SRDΒ 72.5
$1.61 ΰΈΏ52.6
21.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.25 SRDΒ 120
$2.41 ΰΈΏ78.6
34.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.51 SRDΒ 203
$2.08 ΰΈΏ68.1
164.90%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 SRDΒ 47.11
$1.53 ΰΈΏ49.93
-16.34%
Onion (1kg)
$2.01 SRDΒ 74.2
$1.48 ΰΈΏ48.36
35.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.91 SRDΒ 70.3
$0.99 ΰΈΏ32.29
92.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 SRDΒ 56.3
$0.51 ΰΈΏ16.67
200.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.71 SRDΒ 211
$4.41 ΰΈΏ144
29.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.84 SRDΒ 289
$19.38 ΰΈΏ633
-59.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 SRDΒ 81.7
$1.78 ΰΈΏ58.1
24.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 SRDΒ 121
$2.71 ΰΈΏ88.6
21.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.45 SRDΒ 16.68
$1.37 ΰΈΏ44.79
-67.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$91.4 SRDΒ 3,370
$11.39 ΰΈΏ372
702.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 SRDΒ 111
$3.02 ΰΈΏ98.6
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.46 SRDΒ 90.7
$0.99 ΰΈΏ32.48
148.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.93 SRDΒ 366
$14.10 ΰΈΏ461
-29.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 SRDΒ 41.87
$1.36 ΰΈΏ44.51
-16.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K SRDΒ 925.9K
$28.2K ΰΈΏ921.1K
-11.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K SRDΒ 931.6K
$32.9K ΰΈΏ1.1M
-23.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$39.72 SRDΒ 1,465
$122 ΰΈΏ3,975
-67.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.69 SRDΒ 948
$13.57 ΰΈΏ443
89.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.40 SRDΒ 1,085
$18.31 ΰΈΏ598
60.57%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.83 SRDΒ 473
$60.2 ΰΈΏ1,967
-78.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.21 SRDΒ 745
$17.14 ΰΈΏ560
17.91%
Cinema Ticket
$4.57 SRDΒ 169
$8.69 ΰΈΏ284
-47.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$63.4 SRDΒ 2,338
$693 ΰΈΏ22.6K
-90.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,939 SRDΒ 71.5K
$15.7K ΰΈΏ512.3K
-87.64%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.87 SRDΒ 1,323
$59.5 ΰΈΏ1,944
-39.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.12 SRDΒ 1,037
$34.77 ΰΈΏ1,136
-19.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.3 SRDΒ 2,816
$115 ΰΈΏ3,743
-33.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 SRDΒ 4,107
$83.3 ΰΈΏ2,720
33.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$496 SRDΒ 18.3K
$613 ΰΈΏ20.0K
-19.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$214 SRDΒ 7,878
$437 ΰΈΏ14.3K
-51.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,087 SRDΒ 40.1K
$2,094 ΰΈΏ68.4K
-48.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$570 SRDΒ 21.0K
$1,509 ΰΈΏ49.3K
-62.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$479 SRDΒ 17.7K
$3,749 ΰΈΏ122.5K
-87.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$395 SRDΒ 14.6K
$2,616 ΰΈΏ85.4K
-84.89%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Paramaribo
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$278 SRDΒ 10.3K
$508 ΰΈΏ16.6K
-45.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16
5.33
200.19%

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

Last update for Paramaribo: June 1, 2026

Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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.

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Paramaribo versus $45.00 in Phuket. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $293 – 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 – 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 – 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.

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