😐A single person spends $1,242 per month in Phuket vs $880 in Embu das Artes, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,078 per month in Phuket vs $1,457 in Embu das Artes, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,913 per month in Phuket vs $2,034 in Embu das Artes, rent included.
😐Phuket costs about 41% more than Embu das Artes, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Phuket and Embu das Artes are more affordable than the global median – Phuket8% lower, Embu das Artes35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.60฿152
$6.90R$35.36
-33.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.86฿1,152
$39.57R$203
-11.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.57฿283
$8.71R$44.63
-1.61%
Cappuccino
$2.82฿93.1
$2.27R$11.64
24.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78฿25.71
$1.40R$7.19
-44.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48฿15.72
$0.81R$4.13
-40.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.42฿80.0
$3.02R$15.48
-19.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71฿123
$4.38R$22.42
-15.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79฿59.0
$1.15R$5.91
55.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.41฿46.42
$1.87R$9.60
-24.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60฿52.7
$1.18R$6.03
35.59%
Eggs
$2.20฿72.8
$2.62R$13.40
-16.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.64฿649
$8.91R$45.63
120.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.50฿116
$4.50R$23.06
-22.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.24฿371
$10.47R$53.6
7.35%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86฿94.5
$2.69R$13.76
6.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68฿55.6
$1.74R$8.93
-3.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.31฿76.3
$1.61R$8.25
43.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.10฿69.3
$1.80R$9.20
16.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48฿48.82
$1.34R$6.87
10.45%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35฿44.45
$1.24R$6.35
8.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07฿35.52
$0.93R$4.77
15.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58฿19.04
$0.78R$3.97
-25.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.31฿142
$2.72R$13.94
58.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.67฿617
$8.98R$45.98
107.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79฿59.1
$1.56R$8.00
14.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77฿91.6
$2.65R$13.55
4.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.19฿72.2
$0.96R$4.90
128.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.98฿759
$45.33R$232
-49.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.03฿100
$1.25R$6.42
142.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02฿33.65
$1.00R$5.14
2.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.91฿129
$9.46R$48.43
-58.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43฿47.18
$1.24R$6.33
15.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K฿899.1K
$23.5KR$120.3K
15.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K฿888.0K
$32.7KR$167.6K
-17.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$102฿3,377
$45.14R$231
126.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.95฿362
$14.92R$76.4
-26.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.06฿564
$17.91R$91.7
-4.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.2฿1,758
$28.85R$148
84.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.11฿367
$30.92R$158
-64.07%
Cinema Ticket
$7.82฿258
$7.73R$39.60
1.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$552฿18.2K
$431R$2,208
28.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.4K฿377.6K
$7,515R$38.5K
52.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4฿2,060
$54.1R$277
15.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.98฿958
$57.2R$293
-49.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.6฿3,226
$93.0R$476
5.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.3฿2,919
$83.0R$425
6.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$746฿24.6K
$397R$2,031
87.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$480฿15.9K
$231R$1,182
108.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,112฿69.8K
$645R$3,304
227.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,195฿39.5K
$453R$2,321
163.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,579฿118.3K
$1,402R$7,179
155.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,576฿85.1K
$1,040R$5,328
147.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Embu das Artes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$509฿16.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
11.12
-49.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: August 3, 2026
Last update for Embu das Artes: August 3, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $746 in Phuket versus $397 in Embu das Artes. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Phuket versus $40.00 in Embu das Artes. Groceries tell a different story – $272 in Phuket vs $216 in Embu das Artes – so Embu das Artes wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Embu das Artes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Phuket and in Embu das Artes compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,242 in Phuket, $880 in Embu das Artes – roughly 41% apart. Phuket costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Phuket compared to Embu das Artes?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,863 per month in Phuket and $1,320 in Embu das Artes. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Phuket and Embu das Artes?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Embu das Artes, 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 Embu das Artes?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,242 in Phuket and $880 in Embu das Artes. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and in Embu das Artes?
Public transport costs about 97% less in Embu das Artes. 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 Embu das Artes, where all-in costs run around $880, than in Phuket at $1,242. In Embu das Artes 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 Embu das Artes?
It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $880 in Embu das Artes to $1,242 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Phuket or Embu das Artes 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 Embu das Artes?
If budget matters most, go with Embu das Artes. 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.