ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $363 in Mandsaur.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $571 in Mandsaur.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $780 in Mandsaur.
ðLiving in Phuket is roughly 240% more expensive than Mandsaur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth cities sit below the global median: Phuket8% lower, Mandsaur73% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
$1.95âđ185
137.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,532
$13.83âđ1,313
238.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ289
$2.99âđ284
195.65%
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ98.0
$1.51âđ144
98.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.25
$0.45âđ42.83
64.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.95
$0.12âđ11.79
208.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.8
$1.78âđ169
37.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ118
$3.50âđ332
3.14%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.9
$0.60âđ57.4
276.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ60.1
$0.28âđ26.49
557.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.4
$0.72âđ68.5
211.11%
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.7
$1.00âđ94.6
132.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ643
$2.29âđ217
758.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
$3.23âđ306
13.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ428
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ111
$2.41âđ229
40.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.7
$0.46âđ43.54
256.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ79.0
$1.02âđ96.4
136.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.4
$0.78âđ73.6
160.26%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.9
$0.30âđ28.89
420.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.94
$0.49âđ46.71
206.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.50
$0.54âđ51.5
88.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ16.00
$0.33âđ31.80
48.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
$4.01âđ381
10.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ617
$5.36âđ509
252.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ58.1
$1.71âđ162
4.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ90.1
$2.23âđ211
23.32%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.64âđ536
-
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.81
$0.30âđ28.79
366.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ376
$8.89âđ844
29.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ102
$0.65âđ61.9
380.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.67
$0.22âđ20.86
354.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ461
$1.49âđ141
845.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ44.19
$1.20âđ114
12.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ888.9K
$15.4Kâđ1.5M
76.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
$19.8Kâđ1.9M
66.47%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,087
$58.6âđ5,559
113.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ444
$3.83âđ363
254.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ606
$7.48âđ710
147.59%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ2,010
$16.11âđ1,530
281.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ551
$7.01âđ665
140.23%
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ300
$3.44âđ327
167.15%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.8K
$64.3âđ6,101
986.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ509.9K
$1,856âđ176.2K
740.05%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,889
$10.31âđ979
460.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,152
$23.18âđ2,201
52.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,699
$28.78âđ2,733
293.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,825
$11.83âđ1,123
630.18%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.1K
$123âđ11.6K
402.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.6K
$76.6âđ7,276
482.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ67.0K
$271âđ25.7K
655.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.8K
$182âđ17.3K
720.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ123.6K
$988âđ93.8K
282.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.6K
$479âđ45.5K
452.44%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Mandsaur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.1K
$209âđ19.8K
150.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
9.1
-41.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Mandsaur: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $616 in Phuket and $123 in Mandsaur. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Phuket pays 151% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $47.00 in Phuket vs $14.00 in Mandsaur for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $93.0 per month, with Mandsaur 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 Mandsaur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phuket and Mandsaur?
Phuket and Mandsaur differ by about 240% in total monthly costs ($1,232 vs $363 including rent). Mandsaur is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Phuket or Mandsaur?
Phuket pays 151% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Phuket and Mandsaur?
Rent for a central apartment: $616 in Phuket versus $123 in Mandsaur. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phuket or Mandsaur?
All in, you'll spend $1,232 per month in Phuket versus $363 in Mandsaur â a 240% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Phuket and Mandsaur?
A monthly transit pass in Mandsaur runs roughly 29% 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 $363 in Mandsaur versus $1,232 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mandsaur but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Mandsaur the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Phuket and Mandsaur?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Phuket or Mandsaur safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Mandsaur 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 Mandsaur?
Expats usually find Mandsaur gentler on the wallet â expenses run 240% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.