Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Legazpi

For one person, living is cheaper in Legazpi: $843 a month against $1,294 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $5,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Legazpi, Philippines
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,294
/mo nomad
Legazpi
🇵🇭 Philippines
$843
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Legazpi

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

A single person spends $1,294 per month in Phuket vs $843 in Legazpi, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,294
  • Legazpi $843

A couple spends around $2,204 per month in Phuket vs $1,251 in Legazpi, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,204
  • Legazpi $1,251

A family of three spends $3,115 per month in Phuket vs $1,658 in Legazpi, rent included.

  • Phuket $3,115
  • Legazpi $1,658

Phuket costs about 53% more than Legazpi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Phuket and Legazpi are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 4% lower, Legazpi 38% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.39 ฿148
$3.50 ₱222
25.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.31 ฿1,089
$23.09 ₱1,463
39.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.70 ฿293
$3.73 ₱236
133.24%
Cappuccino
$2.72 ฿91.8
$2.05 ₱130
32.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 ฿31.35
$0.72 ₱45.39
29.17%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ฿16.83
$0.36 ₱23.05
38.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.53 ฿85.3
$1.20 ₱76.3
110.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 ฿122
$2.32 ₱147
56.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 ฿58.6
$1.54 ₱97.5
12.99%
White Bread (500g)
$1.45 ฿48.89
$0.96 ₱60.6
51.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
$0.99 ₱62.5
51.52%
Eggs
$2.17 ฿73.2
$1.93 ₱122
12.44%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.09 ฿643
$5.33 ₱338
258.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.40 ฿115
$3.81 ₱242
-10.76%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 ฿367
$6.94 ₱440
57.06%
Apples (1kg)
$2.94 ฿99.1
$2.53 ₱161
16.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿57.0
$1.96 ₱124
-13.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 ฿73.9
$2.57 ₱163
-14.79%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.12 ฿71.6
$0.89 ₱56.6
138.20%
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿49.15
$1.69 ₱107
-13.61%
Onion (1kg)
$1.37 ฿46.10
$1.66 ₱105
-17.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ฿36.26
$0.82 ₱51.9
31.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ฿18.38
$0.52 ₱32.97
5.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.43 ฿149
$2.98 ₱189
48.66%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.25 ฿615
$6.08 ₱386
200.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 ฿59.7
$1.20 ₱76.0
47.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 ฿97.1
$1.66 ₱105
73.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.78
$0.40 ₱25.55
262.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.9 ฿1,850
$13.34 ₱845
311.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.51 ฿51.0
$0.79 ₱49.97
91.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ฿26.14
$0.22 ₱13.90
254.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 ฿129
$1.85 ₱117
107.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49 ฿50.1
$1.21 ₱76.6
23.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9K ฿905.9K
$20.4K ₱1.3M
31.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K ฿887.8K
$19.4K ₱1.2M
35.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$97.8 ฿3,296
$120 ₱7,602
-18.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.29 ฿381
$17.18 ₱1,089
-34.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.19 ฿579
$24.95 ₱1,581
-31.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.3 ฿2,303
$30.64 ₱1,942
123.01%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.92 ฿368
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.43 ฿250
$4.47 ₱284
66.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$530 ฿17.9K
$285 ₱18.1K
85.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.8K ฿632.9K
$8,361 ₱530.0K
124.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.7 ฿2,078
$51.6 ₱3,270
19.54%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.25 ฿952
$30.77 ₱1,950
-8.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.0 ฿3,235
$72.5 ₱4,594
32.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.8 ฿2,926
$52.5 ₱3,329
65.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$721 ฿24.3K
$421 ₱26.7K
71.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$509 ฿17.1K
$282 ₱17.9K
80.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,950 ฿65.7K
$818 ₱51.9K
138.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,397 ฿47.1K
$485 ₱30.7K
188.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,192 ฿141.3K
$3,451 ₱218.7K
21.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,298 ฿111.2K
$2,356 ₱149.3K
39.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Legazpi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$492 ฿16.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
7
-20.43%

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

Last update for Phuket: November 2, 2026

Last update for Legazpi: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$509
Legazpi
$282 44.6% $227
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$267
Legazpi
$171 35.9% $96
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$126
Legazpi
$162 28.3% $36
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$123
Legazpi
$93 24% $29
Eating Out
Phuket
$120
Legazpi
$79 34.1% $41
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$83
Legazpi
$40 52.4% $44
Getting Around
Phuket
$66
Legazpi
$17 74.5% $49

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $721 in Phuket versus $421 in Legazpi. 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 in Phuket versus $23 in Legazpi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $171 – making Legazpi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇵🇭 Legazpi
🕒 Local time
18:50 6:50 PM
19:50 7:50 PM
1 h ahead of Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
209,533
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, 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 = 37.73 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 63.38 PHP (100 PHP = 1.58 USD). 1 EUR = 70.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Legazpi 2,830 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Legazpi

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 Legazpi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Phuket and in Legazpi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,294 in Phuket, $843 in Legazpi – Legazpi comes out roughly 35% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Phuket compared to Legazpi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,940 per month in Phuket and $1,265 in Legazpi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Phuket and Legazpi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Legazpi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $421 there versus $721 in Phuket.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phuket or Legazpi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,294 in Phuket and $843 in Legazpi. That makes Legazpi about 35% cheaper.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and in Legazpi?
Public transport costs about 76% less in Legazpi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Legazpi, where all-in costs run around $843, than in Phuket at $1,294. In Legazpi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Phuket or Legazpi?
Families tend to lean toward Legazpi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Phuket or Legazpi safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Where should expats move: Phuket or Legazpi?
For expats, Legazpi is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 35% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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