Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Arica Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Arica

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,253 per month in Phuket vs $116 in Arica, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,043 per month in Phuket vs $188 in Arica, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,833 per month in Phuket vs $261 in Arica, rent included.

Phuket costs about 983% more than Arica, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Phuket and Arica are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 9% lower, Arica 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.56 ฿150

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.62 ฿1,072

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.90 ฿293

Cappuccino

$2.80 ฿92.2

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.88 ฿28.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.08

$1.25 CLP 1,171

-60.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 ฿78.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 ฿58.7

$1.09 CLP 1,020

64.22%

White Bread (500g)

$1.44 ฿47.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 ฿52.1

Eggs

$2.13 ฿69.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.92 ฿655

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.43 ฿113

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.33 ฿372

Apples (1kg)

$2.95 ฿96.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 ฿56.6

Oranges (1kg)

$2.32 ฿76.4

Tomato (1kg)

$2.08 ฿68.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.47 ฿48.33

Onion (1kg)

$1.36 ฿44.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 ฿36.12

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 ฿18.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 ฿140

Wine (Bottle)

$18.42 ฿605

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.87 ฿61.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 ฿96.0

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.22 ฿72.9

$0.77 CLP 715

188.31%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.90 ฿753

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.03 ฿99.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.07 ฿35.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.93 ฿129

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 ฿49.04

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.1K ฿891.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.5K ฿902.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$103 ฿3,379

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.99 ฿361

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.51 ฿576

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.5 ฿1,760

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.20 ฿368

Cinema Ticket

$7.48 ฿246

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$557 ฿18.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K ฿389.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.1 ฿2,106

$42.81 CLP 40.0K

49.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.07 ฿956

$21.15 CLP 19.7K

37.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.0 ฿3,154

$57.2 CLP 53.4K

67.91%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.3 ฿2,970

$97.8 CLP 91.4K

-7.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$730 ฿24.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$500 ฿16.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,090 ฿68.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,209 ฿39.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,596 ฿118.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,512 ฿82.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$503 ฿16.5K

$538 CLP 502.2K

-6.41%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

11.40%

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

Last update for Phuket: August 31, 2026

Last update for Arica: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 7% higher in Arica, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Arica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,253 in Phuket, $116 in Arica – roughly 983% apart. Phuket costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,880 per month in Phuket and $174 in Arica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,253 in Phuket and $116 in Arica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2402% more in Phuket, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $116, than in Phuket at $1,253. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $116 in Arica to $1,253 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. 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.