Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Mandeville, LA

For one person, living is cheaper in Phuket: $1,278 a month against $1,949 in Mandeville, LA, rent and utilities included – about $8,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Mandeville, LA, United States
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Mandeville, LA
🇺🇸 United States
$1,949
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Mandeville, LA

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,278 in Phuket versus $1,949 in Mandeville, LA.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Mandeville, LA $1,949

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,216 in Phuket versus $2,907 in Mandeville, LA.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Mandeville, LA $2,907

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,154 in Phuket versus $3,864 in Mandeville, LA.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Mandeville, LA $3,864

Living in Phuket costs roughly 34% less than in Mandeville, LA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 6% below, Mandeville, LA is 43% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
$13.55 $13.55
-67.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,093
$55.7 $55.7
-41.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
$12.04 $12.04
-26.83%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.4
$5.48 $5.48
-48.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.41
$2.13 $2.13
-59.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.65
$1.72 $1.72
-71.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.3
$5.10 $5.10
-49.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
$7.04 $7.04
-47.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.9
$0.89 $0.89
86.52%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.31
$3.41 $3.41
-57.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.5
$1.98 $1.98
-24.24%
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.5
$1.85 $1.85
12.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿643
$10.61 $10.61
79.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
$8.90 $8.90
-62.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
$13.85 $13.85
-21.23%
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.9
$3.38 $3.38
-13.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿57.0
$1.36 $1.36
24.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.8
$2.70 $2.70
-16.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.0
$4.21 $4.21
-50.59%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿51.0
$1.63 $1.63
-7.36%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.52
$1.86 $1.86
-25.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.96
$1.80 $1.80
-40.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.51
$2.16 $2.16
-75.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$9.18 $9.18
-54.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿634
$14.76 $14.76
27.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.5
$2.04 $2.04
-10.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.8
$2.05 $2.05
38.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.98
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,912
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
$2.45 $2.45
23.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.33
$1.57 $1.57
-35.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿125
$25.83 $25.83
-85.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.76
$0.78 $0.78
88.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿903.4K
$35.8K $35.8K
-25.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿900.5K
$23.9K $23.9K
11.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,251
$155 $155
-37.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
$39.67 $39.67
-71.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿568
$72.1 $72.1
-76.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,268
$28.60 $28.60
135.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿362
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
$13.04 $13.04
-42.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.1K
$623 $623
-23.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿380.0K
$9,469 $9,469
18.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,104
$47.57 $47.57
31.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿958
$30.25 $30.25
-6.08%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,181
$81.2 $81.2
16.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,895
$79.9 $79.9
7.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.2K
$1,170 $1,170
-38.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.6K
$927 $927
-47.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿65.0K
$1,883 $1,883
2.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.3K
$1,665 $1,665
-14.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.9K
$1,871 $1,871
123.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.7K
$1,618 $1,618
88.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Mandeville, LA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿16.9K
$4,309 $4,309
-88.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.54
-14.83%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Mandeville, LA: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Mandeville, LA
$927 88.8% $436
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Mandeville, LA
$319 19.7% $52
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Mandeville, LA
$266 114% $142
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Mandeville, LA
$108 11.8% $14
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Mandeville, LA
$265 118% $144
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Mandeville, LA
$55 33.5% $28
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Mandeville, LA
$10 * 85.4% $60

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $716 in Phuket and $1,170 in Mandeville, LA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mandeville, LA pays about 8.6 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $32 in Phuket vs $56 in Mandeville, LA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $266 vs $319 per month, with Phuket cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇺🇸 Mandeville, LA
🕒 Local time
04:51 4:51 AM
15:51 3:51 PM
13 h behind Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
13,192
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

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).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Mandeville, LA 15,670 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Mandeville, LA

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 Mandeville, LA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Mandeville, LA?
Phuket is about 34% cheaper overall, especially in eating out, utilities, and groceries. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or Mandeville, LA?
On paper, salaries run 88% lower in Phuket. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Phuket and Mandeville, LA?
Rent for a central apartment: $716 in Phuket versus $1,170 in Mandeville, LA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and in Mandeville, LA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Mandeville, LA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Mandeville, LA?
All in, you’ll spend $1,278 per month in Phuket versus $1,949 in Mandeville, LA – Phuket is about 34% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Mandeville, LA?
At $1,278 in Phuket versus $1,949 in Mandeville, LA, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Mandeville, LA. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Phuket or in Mandeville, LA?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
It comes down to priorities – Phuket wins on affordability, Mandeville, LA on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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