ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $46.66 in Al-qabil.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $70.0 in Al-qabil.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $94.1 in Al-qabil.
ðLiving in Phuket is roughly 2539% more expensive than Al-qabil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth cities sit below the global median: Phuket8% lower, Al-qabil97% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,523
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ287
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ97.4
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.11
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.88
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.3
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ117
-
-
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.5
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ59.8
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.0
-
-
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.3
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ639
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ426
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ110
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.4
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ78.5
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.0
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.6
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.66
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.30
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ15.91
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ614
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ57.7
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ89.5
-
-
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.54
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ373
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ101
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.48
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ458
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ43.93
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ883.7K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
-
-
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,063
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ441
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ602
-
-
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ1,999
$26.08OMRÂ 10.02
135.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ547
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ299
$10.33OMRÂ 3.97
-11.04%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ506.9K
-
-
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,878
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,146
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,677
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,808
-
-
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.0K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ66.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ122.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.1K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Al-qabil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Al-qabil: April 27, 2026
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 Al-qabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al-qabil cheaper than Phuket?
Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 2539% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,847 in Phuket and $70.0 in Al-qabil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Phuket or Al-qabil?
At $46.66 in Al-qabil versus $1,232 in Phuket, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al-qabil but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Al-qabil the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Al-qabil more family-friendly?
For families, Al-qabil is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Phuket, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Al-qabil?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Al-qabil are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al-qabil gentler on the wallet â expenses run 2539% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.