Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Jamestown

For one person, living is cheaper in Jamestown: $89.6 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $14,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Jamestown, Saint Helena
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Jamestown
🇸🇭 Saint Helena
$89.6
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Jamestown

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

A single person spends $1,278 per month in Phuket vs $90 in Jamestown, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Jamestown $90

A couple spends around $2,216 per month in Phuket vs $157 in Jamestown, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Jamestown $157

A family of three spends $3,154 per month in Phuket vs $224 in Jamestown, rent included.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Jamestown $224

Phuket costs about 1326% more than Jamestown, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Phuket and Jamestown are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 6% lower, Jamestown 93% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,092
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.3
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.37
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.64
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.2
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.9
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.25
$1.91 SHP 1.43
-23.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.4
-
-
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.4
$5.46 SHP 4.07
-61.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿642
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
$10.74 SHP 8.01
1.58%
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.7
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.9
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.7
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.0
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿50.9
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.47
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.91
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.49
$1.37 SHP 1.02
-62.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$11.99 SHP 8.94
-64.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿633
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.4
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.7
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.93
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,909
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.29
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿124
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.70
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿902.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿899.5K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,247
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿568
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,266
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿361
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.0K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿379.6K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,102
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿957
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,178
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,892
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿64.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Jamestown
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿16.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
0
-

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Jamestown: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Jamestown
–
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Jamestown
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Jamestown
–
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Jamestown
–
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Jamestown
–
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Jamestown
–
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Jamestown
–
Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇸🇭 Jamestown
🕒 Local time
11:54 11:54 AM
04:54 4:54 AM
7 h behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
600 Capital
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

SHP, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 33.7 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.77 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Saint Helena Pound exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 0.746 SHP (1 SHP = 1.34 USD). 1 EUR = 0.836 SHP (1 SHP = 1.2 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Jamestown 11,750 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Jamestown

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 Jamestown: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jamestown cheaper than Phuket?
Yes – Phuket is pricier by about 1326%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,917 per month in Phuket and $134 in Jamestown. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Jamestown?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,278 in Phuket and $90 in Jamestown. That makes Jamestown about 93% cheaper.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and in Jamestown?
Groceries cost about 197% more in Phuket, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Jamestown?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Jamestown, where all-in costs run around $90, than in Phuket at $1,278. In Jamestown it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Phuket or in Jamestown?
It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $90 in Jamestown to $1,278 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Jamestown?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Phuket vs other spots: cost of living compared

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