ðA single person spends $1,232 per month in Phuket vs $9.98 in Moquegua, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,255 per month in Phuket vs $13.00 in Moquegua, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,279 per month in Phuket vs $15.08 in Moquegua, rent included.
ðPhuket costs about 12240% more than Moquegua, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Phuket and Moquegua are more affordable than the global median â Phuket8% lower, Moquegua99% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,532
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ289
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ98.0
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.25
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.95
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.8
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ118
-
-
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.9
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ60.1
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.4
-
-
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.7
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ643
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ428
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ111
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.7
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ79.0
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.4
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.9
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.94
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.50
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ16.00
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ617
$4.95PENÂ 17.41
281.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ58.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ90.1
-
-
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.81
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ376
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ102
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.67
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ461
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ44.19
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ888.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
-
-
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,087
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ444
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ606
-
-
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ2,010
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ551
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ300
-
-
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.8K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ509.9K
-
-
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,889
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,152
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,699
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,825
-
-
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ67.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ123.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.6K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Moquegua
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Moquegua: April 26, 2026
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 Moquegua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moquegua cheaper than Phuket?
Yes â Phuket is pricier by about 12240%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,847 per month in Phuket and $14.97 in Moquegua. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket vs Moquegua?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,232 in Phuket and $9.98 in Moquegua. The difference isn't just one category â it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and Moquegua?
Groceries cost about 2854% more in Phuket, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Phuket or Moquegua?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Moquegua, where all-in costs run around $9.98, than in Phuket at $1,232. In Moquegua it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Phuket or Moquegua more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Moquegua â lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Moquegua?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Moquegua. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Phuket makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.