Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and New Westminster Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and New Westminster

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,250 per month in Phuket vs $2,521 in New Westminster, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,284 per month in Phuket vs $3,864 in New Westminster, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,317 per month in Phuket vs $5,207 in New Westminster, rent included.

Phuket is about 50% cheaper than New Westminster, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Phuket sits 6% below the global median, while New Westminster is 89% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.55 ฿153
$14.70 CA$20.68
-69.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.18 ฿1,553
$74.9 CA$105
-38.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.84 ฿297
$9.85 CA$13.86
-10.25%
Cappuccino
$3.06 ฿103
$4.07 CA$5.73
-24.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 ฿24.40
$2.01 CA$2.84
-63.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 ฿13.39
$1.40 CA$1.97
-71.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.43 ฿81.8
$6.24 CA$8.78
-61.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78 ฿127
$6.55 CA$9.21
-42.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.26 ฿76.0
$2.32 CA$3.27
-2.59%
White Bread (500g)
$1.81 ฿60.9
$2.49 CA$3.51
-27.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.8
$3.76 CA$5.29
-40.16%
Eggs
$2.25 ฿75.5
$3.60 CA$5.07
-37.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.51 ฿656
$10.04 CA$14.13
94.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.65 ฿123
$10.21 CA$14.37
-64.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.05 ฿439
$9.85 CA$13.86
32.49%
Apples (1kg)
$3.23 ฿109
$3.11 CA$4.37
3.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 ฿54.4
$1.42 CA$2.00
14.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.38 ฿80.1
$2.94 CA$4.14
-19.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.03 ฿68.1
$3.72 CA$5.24
-45.43%
Potato (1kg)
$1.53 ฿51.6
$2.53 CA$3.56
-39.53%
Onion (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.5
$2.20 CA$3.10
-31.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 ฿32.91
$1.88 CA$2.65
-47.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.39
$2.14 CA$3.00
-75.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.44 ฿149
$15.89 CA$22.35
-72.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.32 ฿616
$10.66 CA$15.00
71.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿62.7
$2.17 CA$3.06
-14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 ฿90.1
$2.99 CA$4.20
-10.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.41 ฿47.46
$2.57 CA$3.61
-45.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.70 ฿393
$94.6 CA$133
-87.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.11 ฿105
$2.16 CA$3.03
43.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.04 ฿35.06
$1.60 CA$2.25
-35.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.11 ฿474
$23.11 CA$32.52
-38.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ฿44.10
$1.26 CA$1.77
3.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K ฿935.4K
$25.4K CA$35.8K
9.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.2K ฿1.1M
$19.8K CA$27.9K
67.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 ฿4,118
$115 CA$161
6.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.59 ฿457
$45.62 CA$64.2
-70.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.70 ฿629
$66.8 CA$93.9
-71.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.5 ฿2,034
$35.04 CA$49.31
72.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.98 ฿571
$18.72 CA$26.34
-9.29%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07 ฿305
$12.17 CA$17.13
-25.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$706 ฿23.8K
$820 CA$1,153
-13.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K ฿531.5K
$8,048 CA$11.3K
96.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.6 ฿1,969
$48.26 CA$67.9
21.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.36 ฿1,189
$33.28 CA$46.83
6.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ฿3,883
$83.0 CA$117
39.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.7 ฿2,816
$105 CA$147
-19.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$626 ฿21.0K
$1,625 CA$2,286
-61.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$445 ฿15.0K
$1,374 CA$1,933
-67.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,040 ฿68.6K
$3,016 CA$4,243
-32.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,492 ฿50.2K
$2,752 CA$3,873
-45.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,483 ฿117.1K
$4,732 CA$6,659
-26.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,577 ฿86.7K
$4,089 CA$5,754
-36.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
New Westminster
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$500 ฿16.8K
$3,065 CA$4,313
-83.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.33
6.44
-17.24%

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

Last update for Phuket: July 12, 2026

Last update for New Westminster: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $626 in Phuket versus $1,625 in New Westminster. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 513% higher in New Westminster, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $46.00 in Phuket versus $75.0 in New Westminster. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $289 vs $326 – making Phuket the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 New Westminster: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or New Westminster?
New Westminster costs about 102% more than Phuket, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Phuket and in New Westminster?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,875 per month in Phuket and $3,782 in New Westminster. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or New Westminster?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phuket, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Phuket and in New Westminster?
Kindergarten costs $706 per month in Phuket and $820 in New Westminster. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Phuket or in New Westminster?
Groceries cost about 13% more in New Westminster, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Phuket or in New Westminster?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Phuket, where all-in costs run around $1,250, than in New Westminster at $2,521. In Phuket it covers expenses comfortably, while in New Westminster it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Phuket or New Westminster?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Phuket costs $1,250 versus $2,521 in New Westminster. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Phuket compared to New Westminster?
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.
Should I move to Phuket or to New Westminster?
If budget matters most, go with Phuket. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New Westminster makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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