Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Kicevo Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Kicevo

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,264 in Phuket versus $905 in Kicevo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,256 in Phuket versus $1,318 in Kicevo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,248 in Phuket versus $1,730 in Kicevo.

Living in Phuket is roughly 40% more expensive than in Kicevo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket 5% lower, Kicevo 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.48 ฿150
$4.10 MKD 219
9.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.59 ฿1,521
$18.99 MKD 1,015
140.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.76 ฿292
$4.69 MKD 250
86.78%
Cappuccino
$2.97 ฿99.0
$1.11 MKD 59.3
167.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ฿22.90
$1.27 MKD 68.1
-45.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 ฿13.04
$0.55 MKD 29.27
-29.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.53 ฿84.4
$1.89 MKD 101
33.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75 ฿125
$2.90 MKD 155
29.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 ฿71.6
$1.33 MKD 70.9
61.65%
White Bread (500g)
$1.82 ฿60.6
$0.83 MKD 44.11
119.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.18 ฿72.9
$1.74 MKD 92.7
25.29%
Eggs
$2.25 ฿75.0
$2.26 MKD 121
-0.44%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.00 ฿667
$9.36 MKD 500
113.68%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.63 ฿121
$7.88 MKD 421
-53.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.56 ฿452
$13.72 MKD 733
-1.17%
Apples (1kg)
$3.24 ฿108
$1.05 MKD 56.2
208.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ฿54.6
$1.42 MKD 76.1
15.49%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ฿77.8
$1.38 MKD 73.7
68.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.07 ฿69.1
$2.09 MKD 112
-0.96%
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 ฿51.6
$0.81 MKD 43.18
91.36%
Onion (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.54
$0.97 MKD 51.9
50.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 ฿32.86
$0.72 MKD 38.72
36.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ฿16.09
$0.55 MKD 29.38
-12.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.35 ฿145
$3.26 MKD 174
33.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.57 ฿620
$5.60 MKD 299
231.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿61.9
$1.05 MKD 56.4
77.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 ฿88.6
$1.56 MKD 83.2
69.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.42 ฿47.28
$0.63 MKD 33.91
125.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.57 ฿386
$19.94 MKD 1,066
-41.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.17 ฿106
$0.95 MKD 50.9
233.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ฿34.41
$0.49 MKD 26.22
110.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.89 ฿463
$7.54 MKD 403
84.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 ฿44.84
$1.47 MKD 78.4
-8.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K ฿927.1K
$33.8K MKD 1.8M
-17.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.4K ฿1.1M
$29.6K MKD 1.6M
12.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$123 ฿4,105
$161 MKD 8,604
-23.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77 ฿459
$18.15 MKD 970
-24.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.33 ฿611
$19.53 MKD 1,044
-6.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.7 ฿2,025
$25.81 MKD 1,379
135.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.16 ฿573
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.87 ฿296
$6.48 MKD 346
36.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$688 ฿22.9K
$312 MKD 16.7K
120.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K ฿526.4K
$1,184 MKD 63.3K
1232.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.3 ฿1,978
$75.8 MKD 4,050
-21.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.69 ฿1,157
$39.83 MKD 2,128
-12.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ฿3,843
$99.1 MKD 5,294
16.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.8 ฿2,794
$110 MKD 5,856
-23.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$621 ฿20.7K
$286 MKD 15.3K
117.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$446 ฿14.9K
$198 MKD 10.6K
124.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,034 ฿67.8K
$573 MKD 30.6K
254.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,496 ฿49.9K
$309 MKD 16.5K
383.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,455 ฿115.3K
$1,591 MKD 85.0K
117.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,531 ฿84.4K
$1,247 MKD 66.6K
103.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Kicevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$494 ฿16.5K
$594 MKD 31.7K
-16.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.33
4.54
17.40%

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

Last update for Phuket: July 27, 2026

Last update for Kicevo: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $621 in Phuket and $286 in Kicevo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kicevo pays 20% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $46.00 in Phuket vs $19.00 in Kicevo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $291 vs $209 per month, with Kicevo 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 Kicevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phuket and in Kicevo?
Phuket and Kicevo differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,264 vs $905 including rent). Kicevo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 20% lower in Kicevo. 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 in Kicevo?
Rent for a central apartment: $621 in Phuket versus $286 in Kicevo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phuket or Kicevo?
All in, you'll spend $1,264 per month in Phuket versus $905 in Kicevo – a 40% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and in Kicevo?
A monthly transit pass in Kicevo runs roughly 72% less than in Phuket. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $905 in Kicevo versus $1,264 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kicevo but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Kicevo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Phuket and Kicevo?
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.
Is Phuket or Kicevo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Kicevo 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 Kicevo?
Expats usually find Kicevo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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