Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Gulbarga

For one person, living is cheaper in Gulbarga: $288 a month against $1,294 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $12,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Gulbarga, India
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,294
/mo nomad
Gulbarga
🇮🇳 India
$288
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Gulbarga

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,294 in Phuket versus $288 in Gulbarga.

  • Phuket $1,294
  • Gulbarga $288

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,204 in Phuket versus $467 in Gulbarga.

  • Phuket $2,204
  • Gulbarga $467

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,115 in Phuket versus $646 in Gulbarga.

  • Phuket $3,115
  • Gulbarga $646

Living in Phuket is roughly 349% more expensive than in Gulbarga, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket 4% lower, Gulbarga 79% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.39 ฿147
$1.58 ₹149
177.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.31 ฿1,078
$10.60 ₹1,001
204.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.70 ฿290
$2.53 ₹239
243.87%
Cappuccino
$2.72 ฿90.9
$1.13 ₹107
140.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 ฿31.06
$0.34 ₹31.68
173.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ฿16.67
$0.14 ₹12.80
257.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.53 ฿84.5
$1.64 ₹155
54.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 ฿121
$2.53 ₹239
43.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 ฿58.1
$0.70 ₹66.6
148.57%
White Bread (500g)
$1.45 ฿48.42
$0.32 ₹29.96
353.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.1
$0.59 ₹55.5
154.24%
Eggs
$2.17 ฿72.5
$0.81 ₹76.8
167.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.09 ฿637
$3.69 ₹349
417.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.40 ฿113
$2.72 ₹257
25.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 ฿364
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.94 ฿98.2
$1.84 ₹174
59.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.5
$0.43 ₹40.52
293.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 ฿73.2
$1.10 ₹104
99.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.12 ฿70.9
$0.33 ₹30.96
542.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.68
$0.41 ₹39.00
256.10%
Onion (1kg)
$1.37 ฿45.66
$0.36 ₹34.34
280.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ฿35.91
$0.32 ₹30.04
237.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ฿18.21
$0.28 ₹26.48
96.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.43 ฿148
$3.65 ₹344
21.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.25 ฿609
$3.33 ₹315
448.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 ฿59.2
$1.34 ₹127
32.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 ฿96.2
$1.92 ₹181
50.00%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$3.54 ₹335
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.32
$0.28 ₹26.54
417.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.9 ฿1,832
$7.34 ₹694
647.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.51 ฿50.5
$0.47 ₹44.79
221.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ฿25.90
$0.16 ₹15.49
387.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 ฿128
$1.18 ₹112
225.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49 ฿49.65
$1.16 ₹110
28.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9K ฿897.3K
$6,639 ₹627.2K
304.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K ฿879.4K
$10.4K ₹984.9K
152.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$97.8 ฿3,265
$27.75 ₹2,622
252.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.29 ฿377
$3.26 ₹308
246.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.19 ฿574
$7.90 ₹746
117.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.3 ฿2,281
$6.77 ₹640
909.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.92 ฿365
$5.14 ₹486
112.45%
Cinema Ticket
$7.43 ฿248
$2.19 ₹207
239.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$530 ฿17.7K
$46.16 ₹4,361
1049.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.8K ฿626.9K
$637 ₹60.2K
2849.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.7 ฿2,059
$19.34 ₹1,827
218.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.25 ฿943
$20.81 ₹1,966
35.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.0 ฿3,204
$22.73 ₹2,147
322.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.8 ฿2,898
$21.16 ₹1,999
310.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$721 ฿24.1K
$87.0 ₹8,221
728.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$509 ฿17.0K
$59.4 ₹5,612
756.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,950 ฿65.1K
$204 ₹19.2K
857.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,397 ฿46.6K
$143 ₹13.5K
875.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,192 ฿139.9K
$585 ₹55.3K
616.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,298 ฿110.1K
$401 ₹37.9K
722.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Gulbarga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$492 ฿16.4K
$375 ₹35.5K
30.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
8.55
-34.85%

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

Last update for Phuket: November 2, 2026

Last update for Gulbarga: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$509
Gulbarga
$59 88.3% $449
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$267
Gulbarga
$82 69.2% $185
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$126
Gulbarga
$39 69.2% $87
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$123
Gulbarga
$38 69.2% $85
Eating Out
Phuket
$120
Gulbarga
$49 59.1% $71
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$83
Gulbarga
$11 86.6% $72
Getting Around
Phuket
$66
Gulbarga
$9.8 85.2% $56

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $721 in Phuket and $87 in Gulbarga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Phuket pays 31% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $32 in Phuket vs $11 in Gulbarga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $82 per month, with Gulbarga cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇮🇳 Gulbarga
🕒 Local time
06:55 6:55 AM
05:25 5:25 AM
1 h 30 min behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
400,000
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 33.38 THB (100 THB = 3 USD). 1 EUR = 37.47 THB (100 THB = 2.67 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 94.47 INR (100 INR = 1.06 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Gulbarga 2,560 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Gulbarga

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 Gulbarga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulbarga cheaper than Phuket?
Gulbarga is about 78% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and leisure. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or Gulbarga?
Average pay runs 31% higher in Phuket, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Phuket and Gulbarga?
Rent for a central apartment: $721 in Phuket versus $87 in Gulbarga. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Phuket or in Gulbarga?
Dining out is cheaper in Gulbarga – a meal for two runs $11 versus $32 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Gulbarga?
All in, you’ll spend $1,294 per month in Phuket versus $288 in Gulbarga – Gulbarga is about 78% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Gulbarga?
At $288 in Gulbarga versus $1,294 in Phuket, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Gulbarga but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Gulbarga the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Phuket or in Gulbarga?
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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Gulbarga gentler on the wallet – expenses run 78% 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?