Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Hattiesburg, MS

For one person, living is cheaper in Phuket: $1,208 a month against $1,965 in Hattiesburg, MS, rent and utilities included – about $9,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,208
/mo nomad
Hattiesburg, MS
🇺🇸 United States
$1,965
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,208 in Phuket versus $1,965 in Hattiesburg, MS.

  • Phuket $1,208
  • Hattiesburg, MS $1,965

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,027 in Phuket versus $2,880 in Hattiesburg, MS.

  • Phuket $2,027
  • Hattiesburg, MS $2,880

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,845 in Phuket versus $3,795 in Hattiesburg, MS.

  • Phuket $2,845
  • Hattiesburg, MS $3,795

Living in Phuket costs roughly 39% less than in Hattiesburg, MS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 11% below, Hattiesburg, MS is 45% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.40 ฿147
$15.83 $15.83
-72.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.26 ฿1,078
$79.3 $79.3
-59.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.76 ฿293
$10.46 $10.46
-16.25%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿94.5
$5.57 $5.57
-49.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90 ฿30.14
$2.52 $2.52
-64.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ฿15.56
$2.11 $2.11
-77.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 ฿85.2
$5.10 $5.10
-50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83 ฿128
$6.07 $6.07
-36.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 ฿57.7
$1.24 $1.24
39.52%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 ฿49.11
$3.96 $3.96
-62.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.51 ฿50.6
$6.25 $6.25
-75.84%
Eggs
$2.17 ฿72.7
$5.29 $5.29
-58.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.70 ฿658
$15.36 $15.36
28.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.34 ฿112
$10.09 $10.09
-66.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.16 ฿373
$15.79 $15.79
-29.32%
Apples (1kg)
$2.85 ฿95.1
$5.27 $5.27
-45.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 ฿56.9
$1.63 $1.63
4.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 ฿73.3
$5.25 $5.25
-58.29%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.05 ฿68.4
$5.52 $5.52
-62.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.45 ฿48.57
$4.26 $4.26
-65.96%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.16
$3.17 $3.17
-56.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.69
$2.16 $2.16
-50.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿16.91
$2.65 $2.65
-80.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.26 ฿142
$8.89 $8.89
-52.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.58 ฿621
$15.88 $15.88
17.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ฿59.7
$2.53 $2.53
-29.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85 ฿95.2
$3.95 $3.95
-27.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.26 ฿75.6
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.10 ฿738
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.01 ฿101
$3.43 $3.43
-12.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.06 ฿35.34
$1.47 $1.47
-27.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.86 ฿129
$35.16 $35.16
-89.02%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.45
$0.82 $0.82
76.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K ฿879.9K
$33.8K $33.8K
-22.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿900.4K
$26.6K $26.6K
1.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,221
$145 $145
-33.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.04 ฿369
$72.3 $72.3
-84.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.14 ฿573
$73.1 $73.1
-76.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.2 ฿1,744
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.16 ฿373
$10.15 $10.15
9.95%
Cinema Ticket
$7.81 ฿261
$12.43 $12.43
-37.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$556 ฿18.6K
$1,570 $1,570
-64.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K ฿387.0K
$10.2K $10.2K
13.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2 ฿2,146
$58.1 $58.1
10.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.69 ฿959
$43.90 $43.90
-34.65%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.4 ฿3,187
$86.9 $86.9
9.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0 ฿2,940
$122 $122
-27.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$737 ฿24.6K
$1,049 $1,049
-29.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 ฿15.5K
$780 $780
-40.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,095 ฿70.0K
$1,586 $1,586
32.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,201 ฿40.1K
$1,083 $1,083
10.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,488 ฿116.6K
$1,590 $1,590
119.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,523 ฿84.3K
$1,617 $1,617
56.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Hattiesburg, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$501 ฿16.7K
$2,976 $2,976
-83.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.66
-16.37%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 19, 2026

Last update for Hattiesburg, MS: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$462
Hattiesburg, MS
$780 68.7% $318
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$269
Hattiesburg, MS
$439 63.3% $170
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$125
Hattiesburg, MS
$290 133% $166
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$124
Hattiesburg, MS
$140 12.5% $16
Eating Out
Phuket
$121
Hattiesburg, MS
$281 132% $160
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$68
Hattiesburg, MS
$25 * 63.3% $43
Getting Around
Phuket
$39
Hattiesburg, MS
$11 * 72.6% $29

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $737 in Phuket and $1,049 in Hattiesburg, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Hattiesburg, MS pays 494% 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: $32.00 in Phuket vs $79.0 in Hattiesburg, MS for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $439 per month, with Phuket cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇺🇸 Hattiesburg, MS
🕒 Local time
18:38 6:38 PM
06:38 6:38 AM
12 h behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
45,989
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Hattiesburg, MS 15,580 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Hattiesburg, MS

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 Hattiesburg, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg, MS cheaper than Phuket?
Phuket is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 63% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or Hattiesburg, MS?
On paper, salaries run 494% lower in Hattiesburg, MS. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Phuket and Hattiesburg, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $737 in Phuket versus $1,049 in Hattiesburg, MS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and in Hattiesburg, MS?
Supermarket bills run roughly 63% higher in Hattiesburg, MS. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Hattiesburg, MS?
All in, you'll spend $1,208 per month in Phuket versus $1,965 in Hattiesburg, MS – a 63% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Hattiesburg, MS?
At $1,208 in Phuket versus $1,965 in Hattiesburg, MS, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Hattiesburg, MS. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Hattiesburg, MS more family-friendly?
For families, Phuket is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Hattiesburg, MS, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Hattiesburg, MS?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Hattiesburg, MS are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Phuket gentler on the wallet – expenses run 63% less than in Hattiesburg, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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