ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,719 in Athienou.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $2,724 in Athienou.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $3,729 in Athienou.
ðLiving in Phuket costs roughly 28% less than in Athienou, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 8% below, Athienou is 28% above.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
$17.63âŽ15.09
-73.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,532
$57.1âŽ48.89
-17.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ289
$8.46âŽ7.24
4.49%
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ98.0
$3.76âŽ3.22
-20.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.25
$1.57âŽ1.34
-52.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.95
$0.92âŽ0.78
-59.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.8
$3.38âŽ2.89
-27.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ118
$4.29âŽ3.67
-15.85%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.9
$1.73âŽ1.48
30.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ60.1
$1.78âŽ1.52
3.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.4
$2.34âŽ2.01
-4.27%
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.7
$3.77âŽ3.22
-38.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ643
$15.08âŽ12.91
30.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
$8.70âŽ7.45
-58.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ428
$13.43âŽ11.49
-2.46%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ111
$2.80âŽ2.40
21.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.7
$1.89âŽ1.62
-13.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ79.0
$1.89âŽ1.62
27.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.4
$2.61âŽ2.23
-22.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.9
$1.36âŽ1.17
14.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.94
$1.13âŽ0.96
32.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.50
$0.65âŽ0.55
56.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ16.00
$0.88âŽ0.76
-44.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
$5.94âŽ5.08
-25.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ617
$8.38âŽ7.17
125.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ58.1
$1.76âŽ1.51
1.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ90.1
$2.35âŽ2.01
17.02%
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.81
$2.24âŽ1.92
-37.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ376
$51.6âŽ44.14
-77.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ102
$7.55âŽ6.46
-58.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.67
$1.95âŽ1.67
-48.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ461
$21.42âŽ18.34
-34.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ44.19
$1.57âŽ1.35
-14.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ888.9K
$26.3KâŽ22.5K
3.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
$32.9KâŽ28.1K
0.19%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,087
$191âŽ163
-34.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ444
$22.77âŽ19.49
-40.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ606
$34.52âŽ29.55
-46.35%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ2,010
$71.1âŽ60.8
-13.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ551
$29.30âŽ25.08
-42.53%
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ300
$11.55âŽ9.89
-20.43%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.8K
$435âŽ372
60.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ509.9K
$7,855âŽ6,724
98.50%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,889
$74.9âŽ64.1
-22.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,152
$32.31âŽ27.66
9.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,699
$91.8âŽ78.6
23.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,825
$108âŽ92.6
-20.11%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.1K
$758âŽ649
-18.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.6K
$653âŽ559
-31.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ67.0K
$1,519âŽ1,300
34.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.8K
$1,294âŽ1,108
15.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ123.6K
$3,764âŽ3,222
0.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.6K
$2,526âŽ2,163
4.84%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Athienou
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.1K
$1,795âŽ1,537
-70.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
3.74
42.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Athienou: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $616 in Phuket and $758 in Athienou. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Athienou pays 243% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $47.00 in Phuket vs $57.0 in Athienou. Groceries flip the comparison at $292 vs $284, with Athienou cheaper for home cooking.
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 Athienou: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phuket and Athienou?
Phuket and Athienou differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,232 vs $1,719 including rent). Phuket is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Athienou earns 243% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Phuket and Athienou?
Rent for a central apartment: $616 in Phuket versus $758 in Athienou. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phuket or Athienou?
All in, you'll spend $1,232 per month in Phuket versus $1,719 in Athienou â a 40% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and Athienou?
A monthly transit pass in Phuket runs roughly 349% less than in Athienou. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,719 in Athienou, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Athienou. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Phuket and Athienou?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Phuket or Athienou safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Athienou are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Phuket or Athienou?
Expats usually find Phuket gentler on the wallet â expenses run 40% less than in Athienou. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.