Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Kakinada

For one person, living is cheaper in Kakinada: $302 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $11,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Kakinada, India
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Kakinada
🇮🇳 India
$302
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Kakinada

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

A single person spends $1,278 per month in Phuket vs $302 in Kakinada, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Kakinada $302

A couple spends around $2,216 per month in Phuket vs $482 in Kakinada, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Kakinada $482

A family of three spends $3,154 per month in Phuket vs $662 in Kakinada, rent included.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Kakinada $662

Phuket costs about 324% more than Kakinada, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Phuket and Kakinada are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 6% lower, Kakinada 78% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
$1.07 ₹102
317.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,093
$8.98 ₹853
260.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
$3.10 ₹295
184.19%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.4
$0.55 ₹52.1
414.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.41
$0.33 ₹31.35
163.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.65
$0.11 ₹10.81
345.45%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.3
$1.02 ₹96.8
150.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
$2.28 ₹217
61.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.9
$0.54 ₹51.4
207.41%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.31
$0.47 ₹44.77
210.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.5
$0.54 ₹51.4
177.78%
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.5
$0.74 ₹70.2
182.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿643
$3.97 ₹377
380.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
$2.57 ₹244
28.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.9
$1.86 ₹177
57.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿57.0
$0.69 ₹65.2
144.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.8
$0.79 ₹74.7
184.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.0
$0.47 ₹44.30
342.55%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿51.0
$0.37 ₹35.06
308.11%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.52
$0.33 ₹30.93
318.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.96
$0.58 ₹55.3
84.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.51
$0.29 ₹27.21
79.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$4.21 ₹400
-0.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿634
$7.48 ₹710
151.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.5
$1.85 ₹176
-1.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.8
$3.09 ₹293
-8.09%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$3.45 ₹328
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.98
$0.34 ₹31.88
326.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,912
$7.01 ₹666
708.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
$1.23 ₹117
145.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.33
$0.17 ₹16.44
500.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿125
$2.06 ₹196
79.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.76
$1.08 ₹103
36.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿903.4K
$11.3K ₹1.1M
135.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿900.5K
$20.9K ₹2.0M
27.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,251
$32.97 ₹3,131
192.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
$3.19 ₹303
252.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿568
$5.28 ₹501
219.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,268
$14.16 ₹1,344
374.79%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿362
$6.52 ₹619
64.57%
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
$2.08 ₹197
260.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.1K
$28.44 ₹2,701
1573.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿380.0K
$1,225 ₹116.3K
819.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,104
$9.52 ₹904
555.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿958
$8.04 ₹763
253.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,181
$15.48 ₹1,470
509.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,895
$13.20 ₹1,253
550.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.2K
$69.8 ₹6,631
925.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.6K
$77.7 ₹7,380
531.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿65.0K
$171 ₹16.3K
1025.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.3K
$188 ₹17.9K
659.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.9K
$949 ₹90.1K
340.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.7K
$558 ₹53.0K
445.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Kakinada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿16.9K
$549 ₹52.1K
-8.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
9
-38.11%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Kakinada: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Kakinada
$78 84.2% $413
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Kakinada
$97 63.6% $169
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Kakinada
$41 66.7% $83
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Kakinada
$21 82.9% $101
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Kakinada
$36 70.5% $86
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Kakinada
$18 77.7% $64
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Kakinada
$10 85.2% $60

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $716 in Phuket versus $70 in Kakinada. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 9% higher in Kakinada, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $32 in Phuket versus $9 in Kakinada. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $266 vs $97 – making Kakinada the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇮🇳 Kakinada
🕒 Local time
23:04 11:04 PM
21:34 9:34 PM
1 h 30 min behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
384,182
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 94.95 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Kakinada 2,020 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Kakinada

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 Kakinada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or Kakinada?
Phuket costs about 324% more than Kakinada, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Phuket and in Kakinada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,917 per month in Phuket and $452 in Kakinada. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or Kakinada?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kakinada, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $70 there versus $716 in Phuket.
How do childcare costs compare in Phuket and in Kakinada?
Kindergarten costs $476 per month in Phuket and $28 in Kakinada. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Phuket or in Kakinada?
Groceries cost about 175% more in Phuket, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Phuket or in Kakinada?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Kakinada, where all-in costs run around $302, than in Phuket at $1,278. In Kakinada it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kakinada – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Phuket compared to Kakinada?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Kakinada is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 76% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Phuket vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?