ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,896 in Hyvinkaa.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $2,806 in Hyvinkaa.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $3,716 in Hyvinkaa.
ðLiving in Phuket costs roughly 35% less than in Hyvinkaa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 8% below, Hyvinkaa is 42% above.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
$14.79âŽ12.66
-68.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,532
$91.9âŽ78.7
-49.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ289
$11.35âŽ9.71
-22.11%
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ98.0
$4.24âŽ3.63
-29.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.25
$2.50âŽ2.14
-70.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.95
$1.68âŽ1.44
-77.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.8
$8.34âŽ7.14
-70.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ118
$9.44âŽ8.08
-61.76%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.9
$1.14âŽ0.98
98.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ60.1
$2.30âŽ1.96
-20.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.4
$2.25âŽ1.93
-0.44%
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.7
$2.82âŽ2.41
-17.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ643
$6.76âŽ5.79
190.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
$13.74âŽ11.76
-73.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ428
$20.78âŽ17.78
-36.96%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ111
$2.06âŽ1.76
64.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.7
$1.90âŽ1.63
-13.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ79.0
$2.38âŽ2.04
1.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.4
$4.72âŽ4.04
-56.99%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.9
$1.41âŽ1.21
10.64%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.94
$1.89âŽ1.62
-20.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.50
$1.72âŽ1.47
-40.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ16.00
$1.46âŽ1.25
-66.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
$11.72âŽ10.04
-62.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ617
$11.85âŽ10.14
59.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ58.1
$3.03âŽ2.60
-41.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ90.1
$3.56âŽ3.05
-22.75%
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.81
$3.38âŽ2.89
-58.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ376
$67.7âŽ58.0
-83.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ102
$8.13âŽ6.96
-61.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.67
$1.55âŽ1.32
-35.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ461
$63.0âŽ53.9
-77.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ44.19
$2.11âŽ1.80
-36.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ888.9K
$23.1KâŽ19.7K
17.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
$40.3KâŽ34.5K
-18.39%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,087
$117âŽ100
6.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ444
$31.57âŽ27.03
-57.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ606
$19.48âŽ16.67
-4.93%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ2,010
$44.26âŽ37.89
38.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ551
$23.90âŽ20.46
-29.54%
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ300
$16.32âŽ13.97
-43.69%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.8K
$340âŽ291
105.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ509.9K
$11.3KâŽ9,684
37.83%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,889
$107âŽ91.3
-45.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,152
$25.72âŽ22.02
37.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,699
$85.8âŽ73.4
31.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,825
$103âŽ88.2
-16.11%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.1K
$772âŽ660
-20.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.6K
$806âŽ690
-44.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ67.0K
$1,318âŽ1,129
55.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.8K
$1,031âŽ882
44.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ123.6K
$2,453âŽ2,100
54.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.6K
$1,627âŽ1,393
62.82%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Hyvinkaa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.1K
$2,734âŽ2,340
-80.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
3.93
35.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Hyvinkaa: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $616 in Phuket and $772 in Hyvinkaa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Hyvinkaa pays 422% 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 $92.0 in Hyvinkaa for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $339 per month, with Phuket cheaper across the board.
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 Hyvinkaa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phuket and Hyvinkaa?
Phuket and Hyvinkaa differ by about 54% in total monthly costs ($1,232 vs $1,896 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, Hyvinkaa earns 422% 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 Hyvinkaa?
Rent for a central apartment: $616 in Phuket versus $772 in Hyvinkaa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and Hyvinkaa?
A monthly transit pass in Phuket runs roughly 490% less than in Hyvinkaa. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Phuket and Hyvinkaa?
Childcare runs $698 in Phuket versus $340 in Hyvinkaa. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,896 in Hyvinkaa, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Hyvinkaa. 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 Hyvinkaa?
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 Hyvinkaa safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Hyvinkaa 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 Hyvinkaa?
Expats usually find Phuket gentler on the wallet â expenses run 54% less than in Hyvinkaa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.