Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Aizawl

For one person, living is cheaper in Aizawl: $363 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $11,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Aizawl, India
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Aizawl
🇮🇳 India
$363
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Aizawl

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

A single person spends $1,278 per month in Phuket vs $363 in Aizawl, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Aizawl $363

A couple spends around $2,216 per month in Phuket vs $583 in Aizawl, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Aizawl $583

A family of three spends $3,154 per month in Phuket vs $802 in Aizawl, rent included.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Aizawl $802

Phuket costs about 252% more than Aizawl, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Phuket and Aizawl are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 6% lower, Aizawl 73% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
$2.07 ₹197
115.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,094
$10.55 ₹1,002
207.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
$3.58 ₹340
146.09%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.4
$1.67 ₹158
69.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.42
$0.32 ₹30.72
171.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.66
$0.15 ₹13.94
226.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.3
$2.38 ₹226
7.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
$2.84 ₹269
29.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿56.0
$0.76 ₹71.8
118.42%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.32
$0.55 ₹51.8
165.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.5
$0.63 ₹60.0
138.10%
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.5
$0.91 ₹86.7
129.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿643
$5.02 ₹477
279.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
$3.93 ₹373
-16.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.9
$1.90 ₹181
54.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿57.0
$0.64 ₹60.6
164.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.8
$0.95 ₹89.8
136.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.1
$0.45 ₹43.09
362.22%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿51.0
$0.33 ₹31.39
357.58%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.54
$0.40 ₹38.05
245.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.97
$0.40 ₹38.44
167.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.51
$0.19 ₹18.06
173.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$5.03 ₹477
-16.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿634
$6.79 ₹644
176.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.5
$1.66 ₹158
9.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.9
$2.96 ₹281
-4.05%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$4.96 ₹471
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿49.00
$0.24 ₹22.68
504.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,912
$6.10 ₹579
828.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
$0.81 ₹76.5
272.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.34
$0.27 ₹25.55
277.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿125
$1.39 ₹132
165.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.78
$1.11 ₹105
32.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿903.7K
$9,805 ₹930.9K
173.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿900.8K
$22.1K ₹2.1M
20.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,252
$36.75 ₹3,489
162.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
$3.57 ₹339
215.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿569
$6.53 ₹620
158.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,269
$14.21 ₹1,350
373.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿362
$6.62 ₹629
62.08%
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
$2.97 ₹282
152.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.1K
$45.67 ₹4,335
942.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿380.1K
$1,529 ₹145.1K
636.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,105
$21.88 ₹2,078
185.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿959
$23.92 ₹2,271
18.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,182
$38.25 ₹3,632
146.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,896
$28.08 ₹2,666
205.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.2K
$103 ₹9,813
592.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.6K
$62.9 ₹5,975
679.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿65.0K
$255 ₹24.2K
655.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.3K
$160 ₹15.2K
795.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.9K
$1,015 ₹96.3K
311.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.8K
$500 ₹47.5K
509.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Aizawl
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿17.0K
$263 ₹25.0K
90.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
8.86
-37.13%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Aizawl: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Aizawl
$63 87.2% $428
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Aizawl
$107 59.9% $159
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Aizawl
$47 62.4% $78
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Aizawl
$50 58.6% $71
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Aizawl
$67 45.1% $55
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Aizawl
$20 75.5% $62
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Aizawl
$9.2 87% $61

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $716 in Phuket versus $103 in Aizawl. 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 91% 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 $32 in Phuket versus $11 in Aizawl. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $266 vs $107 – making Aizawl the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇮🇳 Aizawl
🕒 Local time
13:09 1:09 PM
11:39 11:39 AM
1 h 30 min behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
291,822
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.75 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.68 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 94.94 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Aizawl 1,860 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Aizawl

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
Phuket vs Aizawl: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aizawl cheaper than Phuket?
Yes – Phuket is pricier by about 252%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,917 per month in Phuket and $545 in Aizawl. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Aizawl, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $103 there versus $716 in Phuket.
Is eating out cheaper in Phuket or in Aizawl?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $32 in Phuket and $11 in Aizawl. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Aizawl?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,278 in Phuket and $363 in Aizawl. That makes Aizawl about 72% cheaper.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Aizawl?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Aizawl, where all-in costs run around $363, than in Phuket at $1,278. In Aizawl it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Phuket or Aizawl more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Aizawl – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Aizawl?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Aizawl. If higher salaries 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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