Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Kuta, Bali

For one person, living costs are similar in Phuket and in Kuta, Bali: $1,208 and $1,212 a month, rent and utilities included.

Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,208
/mo nomad
Kuta, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,212
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Kuta, Bali

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

A single person spends $1,208 per month in Phuket vs $1,212 in Kuta, Bali, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,208
  • Kuta, Bali $1,212

A couple spends around $2,027 per month in Phuket vs $2,042 in Kuta, Bali, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,027
  • Kuta, Bali $2,042

A family of three spends $2,845 per month in Phuket vs $2,872 in Kuta, Bali, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,845
  • Kuta, Bali $2,872

Phuket and Kuta, Bali have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Phuket and Kuta, Bali are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 11% lower, Kuta, Bali 11% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.40 ฿147
$2.97 Rp 53.5K
48.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.26 ฿1,078
$30.91 Rp 556.3K
4.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.76 ฿293
$5.02 Rp 90.3K
74.50%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿94.5
$2.37 Rp 42.6K
19.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90 ฿30.14
$1.44 Rp 26.0K
-37.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ฿15.56
$0.66 Rp 11.9K
-28.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 ฿85.2
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
11.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83 ฿128
$3.90 Rp 70.2K
-1.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 ฿57.7
$1.44 Rp 25.9K
20.14%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 ฿49.11
$2.10 Rp 37.7K
-30.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.51 ฿50.6
$1.16 Rp 20.9K
30.17%
Eggs
$2.17 ฿72.7
$2.03 Rp 36.6K
6.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.70 ฿658
$16.43 Rp 295.8K
19.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.34 ฿112
$3.72 Rp 66.9K
-10.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.16 ฿373
$11.63 Rp 209.3K
-4.04%
Apples (1kg)
$2.85 ฿95.1
$3.37 Rp 60.7K
-15.43%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 ฿56.9
$1.52 Rp 27.3K
11.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 ฿73.3
$2.17 Rp 39.0K
0.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.05 ฿68.4
$1.83 Rp 32.9K
12.02%
Potato (1kg)
$1.45 ฿48.57
$1.75 Rp 31.5K
-17.14%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.16
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
-39.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.69
$0.99 Rp 17.8K
8.08%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿16.91
$0.51 Rp 9,228
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.26 ฿142
$2.12 Rp 38.2K
100.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.58 ฿621
$21.73 Rp 391.1K
-14.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ฿59.7
$2.25 Rp 40.5K
-20.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85 ฿95.2
$2.81 Rp 50.5K
1.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.26 ฿75.6
$0.25 Rp 4,476
804.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.10 ฿738
$8.75 Rp 157.5K
152.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.01 ฿101
$0.49 Rp 8,779
514.29%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.06 ฿35.34
$0.48 Rp 8,665
120.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.86 ฿129
$2.69 Rp 48.5K
43.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.45
$0.93 Rp 16.7K
55.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K ฿879.9K
$26.1K Rp 469.9M
0.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿900.4K
$35.9K Rp 646.9M
-25.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,221
$80.0 Rp 1.4M
20.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.04 ฿369
$6.35 Rp 114.2K
73.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.14 ฿573
$18.42 Rp 331.5K
-6.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.2 ฿1,744
$48.47 Rp 872.5K
7.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.16 ฿373
$15.64 Rp 281.5K
-28.64%
Cinema Ticket
$7.81 ฿261
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
102.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$556 ฿18.6K
$448 Rp 8.1M
24.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K ฿387.0K
$5,127 Rp 92.3M
125.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2 ฿2,146
$45.03 Rp 810.6K
42.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.69 ฿959
$34.68 Rp 624.2K
-17.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.4 ฿3,187
$79.5 Rp 1.4M
19.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0 ฿2,940
$77.1 Rp 1.4M
14.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$737 ฿24.6K
$919 Rp 16.5M
-19.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 ฿15.5K
$563 Rp 10.1M
-17.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,095 ฿70.0K
$2,936 Rp 52.8M
-28.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,201 ฿40.1K
$1,419 Rp 25.5M
-15.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,488 ฿116.6K
$2,244 Rp 40.4M
55.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,523 ฿84.3K
$1,869 Rp 33.6M
34.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Kuta, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$501 ฿16.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
13.78
-59.58%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 19, 2026

Last update for Kuta, Bali: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$462
Kuta, Bali
$563 21.7% $100
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$269
Kuta, Bali
$275 2.3% $6.2
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$125
Kuta, Bali
$105 15.9% $20
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$124
Kuta, Bali
$106 14.5% $18
Eating Out
Phuket
$121
Kuta, Bali
$95 21.7% $26
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$68
Kuta, Bali
$56 17.1% $12
Getting Around
Phuket
$39
Kuta, Bali
$13 68% $27

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $737 in Phuket versus $919 in Kuta, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Phuket versus $31.00 in Kuta, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $269 in Phuket vs $275 in Kuta, Bali – so Phuket wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇮🇩 Kuta, Bali
🕒 Local time
10:49 10:49 AM
11:49 11:49 AM
1 h ahead of Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
57,304
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 23, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 23, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Kuta, Bali 2,620 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Kuta, Bali

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 Kuta, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Phuket and in Kuta, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,813 per month in Phuket and $1,818 in Kuta, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or Kuta, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phuket, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Phuket and in Kuta, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Phuket and $31.00 in Kuta, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How expensive is transport in Phuket compared to Kuta, Bali?
Public transport costs about 153% less in Phuket. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Phuket or in Kuta, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Phuket, where all-in costs run around $1,208, than in Kuta, Bali at $1,212. In Phuket it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kuta, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Phuket or Kuta, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Phuket costs $1,208 versus $1,212 in Kuta, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Phuket compared to Kuta, Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Phuket or to Kuta, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Phuket. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kuta, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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