Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Aberdeen, SD Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Aberdeen, SD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,265 per month in Phuket vs $2,501 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,297 per month in Phuket vs $3,606 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,329 per month in Phuket vs $4,710 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Phuket is about 49% cheaper than Aberdeen, SD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Phuket sits 6% below the global median, while Aberdeen, SD is 87% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.70 ฿154
$9.95 $9.95
-52.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.37 ฿1,489
$65.1 $65.1
-30.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.43 ฿277
$10.12 $10.12
-16.70%
Cappuccino
$2.93 ฿96.1
$3.96 $3.96
-26.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ฿22.50
$2.68 $2.68
-74.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 ฿12.04
$1.52 $1.52
-75.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.41 ฿79.0
$3.93 $3.93
-38.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 ฿122
$6.91 $6.91
-46.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 ฿73.3
$0.90 $0.90
147.78%
White Bread (500g)
$1.83 ฿60.1
$2.67 $2.67
-31.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.17 ฿71.1
$5.56 $5.56
-60.97%
Eggs
$2.21 ฿72.6
$6.15 $6.15
-64.07%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.74 ฿648
$10.04 $10.04
96.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.63 ฿119
$9.87 $9.87
-63.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.53 ฿444
$17.90 $17.90
-24.41%
Apples (1kg)
$3.28 ฿108
$4.13 $4.13
-20.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ฿52.9
$2.50 $2.50
-35.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.41 ฿79.0
$3.49 $3.49
-30.95%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿68.4
$4.05 $4.05
-48.64%
Potato (1kg)
$1.53 ฿50.2
$4.94 $4.94
-69.03%
Onion (1kg)
$1.48 ฿48.58
$2.65 $2.65
-44.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 ฿32.44
$3.06 $3.06
-67.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿16.74
$5.14 $5.14
-90.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.41 ฿145
$9.66 $9.66
-54.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.38 ฿636
$29.71 $29.71
-34.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ฿58.4
$1.76 $1.76
1.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 ฿89.0
$3.43 $3.43
-20.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.37 ฿44.99
$1.96 $1.96
-30.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.39 ฿374
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿99.1
$3.58 $3.58
-15.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.99 ฿32.63
$1.60 $1.60
-38.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.10 ฿463
$28.74 $28.74
-50.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 ฿44.71
$0.73 $0.73
86.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2K ฿925.3K
$30.0K $30.0K
-5.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K ฿1.1M
$25.7K $25.7K
27.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 ฿3,993
$188 $188
-35.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57 ฿445
$53.1 $53.1
-74.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.31 ฿601
$25.05 $25.05
-26.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.2 ฿1,976
$42.75 $42.75
40.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.14 ฿562
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.69 ฿285
$13.56 $13.56
-35.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$693 ฿22.8K
$1,301 $1,301
-46.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.7K ฿514.7K
$23.3K $23.3K
-32.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.5 ฿1,953
$44.46 $44.46
33.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.77 ฿1,141
$25.15 $25.15
38.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ฿3,760
$76.3 $76.3
50.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.3 ฿2,733
$113 $113
-26.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$613 ฿20.1K
$1,614 $1,614
-62.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$437 ฿14.3K
$1,362 $1,362
-67.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,094 ฿68.7K
$2,669 $2,669
-21.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,509 ฿49.5K
$2,199 $2,199
-31.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,749 ฿123.0K
$1,347 $1,347
178.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,616 ฿85.8K
$1,362 $1,362
92.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$508 ฿16.7K
$5,306 $5,306
-90.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.33
6.7
-20.45%

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

Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026

Last update for Aberdeen, SD: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $613 in Phuket versus $1,614 in Aberdeen, SD. 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 944% higher in Aberdeen, SD, 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 $45.00 in Phuket versus $65.0 in Aberdeen, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $293 vs $455 – making Phuket 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
Phuket vs Aberdeen, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
Aberdeen, SD costs about 98% more than Phuket, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Phuket vs Aberdeen, SD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,898 per month in Phuket and $3,752 in Aberdeen, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phuket, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Phuket vs Aberdeen, SD?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Phuket and $65.0 in Aberdeen, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
Groceries cost about 55% more in Aberdeen, SD, 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 $1,500/month in Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Phuket, where all-in costs run around $1,265, than in Aberdeen, SD at $2,501. In Phuket it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aberdeen, SD it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Phuket costs $1,265 versus $2,501 in Aberdeen, SD. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Phuket compared to Aberdeen, SD?
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 Phuket or Aberdeen, SD?
If budget matters most, go with Phuket. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aberdeen, SD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Phuket vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities