Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Bijeljina Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Bijeljina

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,261 per month in Phuket vs $944 in Bijeljina, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,286 per month in Phuket vs $1,475 in Bijeljina, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,310 per month in Phuket vs $2,006 in Bijeljina, rent included.

Phuket costs about 34% more than Bijeljina, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Phuket and Bijeljina are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 6% lower, Bijeljina 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.56 ฿149
$8.89 BAM 14.97
-48.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.63 ฿1,519
$34.86 BAM 58.7
33.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.47 ฿276
$4.99 BAM 8.40
69.74%
Cappuccino
$3.03 ฿98.6
$1.44 BAM 2.43
110.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ฿22.45
$1.78 BAM 3.00
-61.24%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 ฿11.92
$1.04 BAM 1.75
-64.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.49 ฿81.0
$1.79 BAM 3.02
39.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿119
$2.29 BAM 3.86
59.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.18 ฿71.0
$1.56 BAM 2.63
39.74%
White Bread (500g)
$1.90 ฿62.0
$1.21 BAM 2.03
57.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.20 ฿71.6
$1.75 BAM 2.95
25.71%
Eggs
$2.22 ฿72.4
$3.24 BAM 5.45
-31.48%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.99 ฿651
$7.71 BAM 12.99
159.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.66 ฿119
$7.99 BAM 13.46
-54.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.25 ฿432
$12.00 BAM 20.20
10.42%
Apples (1kg)
$3.23 ฿105
$1.63 BAM 2.75
98.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 ฿55.3
$1.91 BAM 3.21
-10.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.39 ฿78.0
$1.91 BAM 3.21
25.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿67.7
$2.67 BAM 4.50
-22.10%
Potato (1kg)
$1.59 ฿51.8
$1.58 BAM 2.67
0.63%
Onion (1kg)
$1.48 ฿48.31
$1.46 BAM 2.46
1.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 ฿33.54
$1.17 BAM 1.97
-11.97%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿16.83
$0.63 BAM 1.07
-17.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.25 ฿138
$3.78 BAM 6.36
12.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿612
$8.89 BAM 14.97
111.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 ฿57.2
$0.86 BAM 1.46
104.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 ฿89.8
$1.48 BAM 2.50
86.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.36 ฿44.32
$2.32 BAM 3.91
-41.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.36 ฿370
$17.41 BAM 29.33
-34.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.14 ฿102
$1.50 BAM 2.52
109.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.04 ฿33.74
$0.56 BAM 0.95
85.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.77 ฿448
$12.02 BAM 20.24
14.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 ฿43.79
$1.47 BAM 2.48
-8.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7K ฿901.4K
$26.6K BAM 44.9K
3.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.9K ฿1.1M
$26.0K BAM 43.8K
30.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$124 ฿4,025
$142 BAM 239
-12.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.52 ฿440
$19.02 BAM 32.03
-28.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.69 ฿609
$24.48 BAM 41.24
-23.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.8 ฿2,013
$31.16 BAM 52.5
98.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.25 ฿562
$8.78 BAM 14.79
96.47%
Cinema Ticket
$9.14 ฿298
$4.93 BAM 8.30
85.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$703 ฿22.9K
$206 BAM 348
240.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K ฿517.0K
$3,290 BAM 5,541
382.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.5 ฿1,937
$58.2 BAM 98.1
2.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.07 ฿1,142
$26.61 BAM 44.81
31.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ฿3,754
$135 BAM 227
-14.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.1 ฿2,737
$121 BAM 204
-30.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$619 ฿20.1K
$262 BAM 441
136.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$433 ฿14.1K
$169 BAM 285
155.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,062 ฿67.2K
$359 BAM 605
473.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,511 ฿49.2K
$296 BAM 498
411.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,646 ฿118.7K
$1,861 BAM 3,134
95.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,626 ฿85.5K
$1,363 BAM 2,295
92.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Bijeljina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$507 ฿16.5K
$775 BAM 1,306
-34.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.33
6
-11.17%

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

Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026

Last update for Bijeljina: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $619 in Phuket versus $262 in Bijeljina. 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 53% higher in Bijeljina, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Phuket versus $35.00 in Bijeljina. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $293 vs $232 – making Bijeljina the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Bijeljina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Phuket and Bijeljina compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,261 in Phuket, $944 in Bijeljina – roughly 34% apart. Phuket costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Phuket compared to Bijeljina?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,892 per month in Phuket and $1,416 in Bijeljina. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Phuket and Bijeljina?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bijeljina, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phuket or Bijeljina?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,261 in Phuket and $944 in Bijeljina. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and Bijeljina?
Public transport costs about 53% less in Bijeljina. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bijeljina, where all-in costs run around $944, than in Phuket at $1,261. In Bijeljina it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Phuket and Bijeljina?
It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $944 in Bijeljina to $1,261 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Phuket or Bijeljina safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Phuket and Bijeljina?
If budget matters most, go with Bijeljina. 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.

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