Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Alexandria, Romania

For one person, living is cheaper in Alexandria: $866 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $4,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Alexandria, Romania
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Alexandria
🇷🇴 Romania
$866
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Alexandria

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 Alexandria actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,278 in Phuket versus $866 in Alexandria.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Alexandria $866

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,216 in Phuket versus $1,322 in Alexandria.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Alexandria $1,322

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,154 in Phuket versus $1,778 in Alexandria.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Alexandria $1,778

Living in Phuket is roughly 48% more expensive than in Alexandria, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket 6% lower, Alexandria 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
$8.43 RON 40.29
-46.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,093
$29.79 RON 142
8.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
$7.52 RON 35.93
17.15%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.4
$1.69 RON 8.09
67.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.41
$1.75 RON 8.38
-50.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.65
$1.43 RON 6.85
-65.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.3
$2.07 RON 9.89
23.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
$2.47 RON 11.80
48.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.9
$1.43 RON 6.84
16.08%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.31
$0.87 RON 4.16
67.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.5
$1.13 RON 5.41
32.74%
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.5
$2.11 RON 10.08
-0.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿643
$5.07 RON 24.24
276.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
$4.41 RON 21.05
-25.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
$7.92 RON 37.87
37.75%
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.9
$0.91 RON 4.33
221.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿57.0
$1.18 RON 5.64
43.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.8
$0.97 RON 4.64
131.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.0
$0.92 RON 4.38
126.09%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿51.0
$0.65 RON 3.09
132.31%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.52
$0.62 RON 2.94
122.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.96
$0.75 RON 3.59
42.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.51
$0.83 RON 3.95
-37.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$5.29 RON 25.27
-20.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿634
$5.21 RON 24.89
260.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.5
$0.95 RON 4.56
91.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.8
$1.07 RON 5.10
165.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.98
$0.65 RON 3.12
123.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,912
$41.63 RON 199
36.10%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
$0.43 RON 2.06
602.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.33
$0.40 RON 1.91
155.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿125
$5.33 RON 25.45
-30.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.76
$1.76 RON 8.42
-16.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿903.4K
$16.5K RON 78.9K
62.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿900.5K
$22.4K RON 107.1K
19.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,251
$116 RON 553
-16.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
$5.26 RON 25.15
114.07%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿568
$7.55 RON 36.07
123.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,268
$57.9 RON 277
16.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿362
$24.58 RON 117
-56.35%
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
$6.09 RON 29.12
23.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.1K
$318 RON 1,519
49.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿380.0K
$6,749 RON 32.2K
66.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,104
$52.0 RON 248
19.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿958
$22.29 RON 106
27.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,181
$62.0 RON 296
52.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,895
$63.6 RON 304
34.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.2K
$309 RON 1,475
132.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.6K
$242 RON 1,155
103.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿65.0K
$573 RON 2,739
236.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.3K
$411 RON 1,966
247.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.9K
$1,269 RON 6,064
229.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.7K
$793 RON 3,792
283.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Alexandria
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿16.9K
$846 RON 4,043
-40.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.73
-17.24%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Alexandria: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Alexandria
$242 50.8% $249
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Alexandria
$151 43.5% $116
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Alexandria
$129 3.3% $4.2
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Alexandria
$90 26.2% $32
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Alexandria
$138 13.7% $17
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Alexandria
$70 14.8% $12
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Alexandria
$47 33.9% $24

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $716 in Phuket and $309 in Alexandria. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Alexandria pays 68% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $32 in Phuket vs $30 in Alexandria for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $266 vs $151 per month, with Alexandria cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇷🇴 Alexandria
🕒 Local time
03:48 3:48 AM
22:48 10:48 PM
5 h behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
45,434
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

RON, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Romanian Leu exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 4.78 RON (1 RON = 0.209 USD). 1 EUR = 5.34 RON (1 RON = 0.187 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Alexandria 8,050 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Alexandria

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 Alexandria: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or Alexandria?
Alexandria wins on cost – living expenses run 32% lower than in Phuket. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Alexandria the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Phuket or in Alexandria?
On paper, salaries run 41% lower in Phuket. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Phuket compared to Alexandria?
Rent for a central apartment: $716 in Phuket versus $309 in Alexandria. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Phuket compared to Alexandria?
All in, you’ll spend $1,278 per month in Phuket versus $866 in Alexandria – Alexandria is about 32% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How expensive is transport in Phuket compared to Alexandria?
A monthly transit pass in Alexandria runs roughly 27% less than in Phuket. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
Can you live on $800/month in Phuket or in Alexandria?
Both cities are expensive relative to $800. Alexandria is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Phuket or Alexandria?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Alexandria gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Phuket vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?