Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Nema Kunku Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Nema Kunku

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,264 per month in Phuket vs $144 in Nema Kunku, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,256 per month in Phuket vs $242 in Nema Kunku, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,248 per month in Phuket vs $340 in Nema Kunku, rent included.

Phuket costs about 780% more than Nema Kunku, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Phuket and Nema Kunku are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 5% lower, Nema Kunku 89% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.48 ฿150

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.59 ฿1,521

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.76 ฿292

Cappuccino

$2.97 ฿99.0

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 ฿22.90

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 ฿13.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.53 ฿84.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 ฿125

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 ฿71.6

White Bread (500g)

$1.82 ฿60.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.18 ฿72.9

Eggs

$2.25 ฿75.0

$2.38 GMD 177

-5.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.00 ฿667

$4.29 GMD 319

366.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.63 ฿121

$4.28 GMD 318

-15.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.56 ฿452

$4.28 GMD 319

216.82%

Apples (1kg)

$3.24 ฿108

$4.52 GMD 337

-28.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 ฿54.6

$4.47 GMD 332

-63.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.33 ฿77.8

$4.29 GMD 319

-45.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.07 ฿69.1

Potato (1kg)

$1.55 ฿51.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.54

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ฿32.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ฿16.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 ฿145

$1.99 GMD 148

118.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.57 ฿620

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿61.9

$2.78 GMD 207

-33.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 ฿88.6

$1.95 GMD 145

35.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.42 ฿47.28

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.57 ฿386

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 ฿106

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 ฿34.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.89 ฿463

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 ฿44.84

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.8K ฿927.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$33.4K ฿1.1M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$123 ฿4,105

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.77 ฿459

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.33 ฿611

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.7 ฿2,025

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.16 ฿573

Cinema Ticket

$8.87 ฿296

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$688 ฿22.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K ฿526.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.3 ฿1,978

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.69 ฿1,157

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 ฿3,843

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.8 ฿2,794

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$621 ฿20.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$446 ฿14.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,034 ฿67.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,496 ฿49.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,455 ฿115.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,531 ฿84.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$494 ฿16.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.33

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

Last update for Phuket: July 27, 2026

Last update for Nema Kunku: July 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 Nema Kunku: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,264 in Phuket, $144 in Nema Kunku – roughly 780% apart. Phuket costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,896 per month in Phuket and $215 in Nema Kunku. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,264 in Phuket and $144 in Nema Kunku. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 106% more in Phuket, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Nema Kunku, where all-in costs run around $144, than in Phuket at $1,264. In Nema Kunku it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Phuket has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $144 in Nema Kunku to $1,264 in Phuket. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Nema Kunku. 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.