ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,775 in Orange, NSW.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $2,695 in Orange, NSW.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $3,615 in Orange, NSW.
ðLiving in Phuket costs roughly 31% less than in Orange, NSW, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 8% below, Orange, NSW is 33% above.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63āļŋ151
$9.55A$13.36
-51.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84āļŋ1,532
$70.3A$98.4
-33.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84āļŋ289
$9.73A$13.62
-9.15%
Cappuccino
$3.00āļŋ98.0
$3.35A$4.69
-10.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74āļŋ24.25
$2.67A$3.74
-72.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37āļŋ11.95
$2.25A$3.15
-83.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44āļŋ79.8
$6.36A$8.90
-61.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61āļŋ118
$7.00A$9.80
-48.43%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26āļŋ73.9
$1.43A$2.00
58.04%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84āļŋ60.1
$2.57A$3.60
-28.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24āļŋ73.4
$1.86A$2.61
20.43%
Eggs
$2.32āļŋ75.7
$3.59A$5.03
-35.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67āļŋ643
$7.65A$10.70
157.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65āļŋ119
$8.30A$11.61
-56.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10āļŋ428
$12.95A$18.13
1.16%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39āļŋ111
$3.13A$4.38
8.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64āļŋ53.7
$2.55A$3.57
-35.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41āļŋ79.0
$2.96A$4.14
-18.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03āļŋ66.4
$3.62A$5.06
-43.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56āļŋ50.9
$1.60A$2.23
-2.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50āļŋ48.94
$2.19A$3.07
-31.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02āļŋ33.50
$1.91A$2.67
-46.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49āļŋ16.00
$1.28A$1.79
-61.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45āļŋ145
$31.19A$43.67
-85.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88āļŋ617
$11.70A$16.38
61.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78āļŋ58.1
$2.61A$3.66
-31.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75āļŋ90.1
$5.31A$7.44
-48.21%
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40āļŋ45.81
$2.40A$3.36
-41.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48āļŋ376
$64.3A$90.1
-82.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12āļŋ102
$2.28A$3.19
36.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.67
$1.82A$2.55
-45.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09āļŋ461
$41.43A$58.0
-65.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35āļŋ44.19
$1.13A$1.59
19.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2Kāļŋ888.9K
$27.4KA$38.3K
-0.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9Kāļŋ1.1M
$22.7KA$31.8K
44.78%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,087
$151A$211
-17.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57āļŋ444
$16.47A$23.06
-17.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52āļŋ606
$51.7A$72.3
-64.15%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5āļŋ2,010
$49.30A$69.0
24.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84āļŋ551
$12.86A$18.00
30.95%
Cinema Ticket
$9.19āļŋ300
$13.19A$18.47
-30.33%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.8K
$1,760A$2,464
-60.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6Kāļŋ509.9K
$13.2KA$18.4K
18.53%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8āļŋ1,889
$51.0A$71.4
13.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24āļŋ1,152
$55.4A$77.6
-36.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,699
$96.7A$135
17.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4āļŋ2,825
$116A$162
-25.42%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616āļŋ20.1K
$851A$1,191
-27.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446āļŋ14.6K
$739A$1,034
-39.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048āļŋ67.0K
$1,534A$2,148
33.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492āļŋ48.8K
$1,301A$1,821
14.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779āļŋ123.6K
$5,580A$7,812
-32.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649āļŋ86.6K
$4,324A$6,054
-38.75%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Orange, NSW
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524āļŋ17.1K
$4,850A$6,790
-89.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
6.29
-15.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Orange, NSW: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $616 in Phuket and $851 in Orange, NSW. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Orange, NSW pays 826% 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 $70.0 in Orange, NSW for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $305 per month, with Phuket 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 Orange, NSW: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phuket and Orange, NSW?
Phuket and Orange, NSW differ by about 44% in total monthly costs ($1,232 vs $1,775 including rent). Phuket is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Orange, NSW earns 826% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Phuket and Orange, NSW?
Rent for a central apartment: $616 in Phuket versus $851 in Orange, NSW. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Phuket and Orange, NSW?
Childcare runs $698 in Phuket versus $1,760 in Orange, NSW. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% higher in Orange, NSW. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,232 in Phuket versus $1,775 in Orange, NSW, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Orange, NSW. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Phuket and Orange, NSW?
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 Orange, NSW safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Orange, NSW 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 Orange, NSW?
Expats usually find Phuket gentler on the wallet â expenses run 44% less than in Orange, NSW. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.