Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Phu Quoc

For one person, living is cheaper in Phu Quoc: $728 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Phuket, Thailand
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Phu Quoc
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$728
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Phuket and in Phu Quoc

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Phuket and in Phu Quoc actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,278 per month in Phuket vs $728 in Phu Quoc, rent included.

  • Phuket $1,278
  • Phu Quoc $728

A couple spends around $2,216 per month in Phuket vs $1,173 in Phu Quoc, rent included.

  • Phuket $2,216
  • Phu Quoc $1,173

A family of three spends $3,154 per month in Phuket vs $1,617 in Phu Quoc, rent included.

  • Phuket $3,154
  • Phu Quoc $1,617

Phuket costs about 76% more than Phu Quoc, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Phuket and Phu Quoc are more affordable than the global median – Phuket 6% lower, Phu Quoc 47% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.47 ฿151
$1.89 ₫48.5K
136.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.41 ฿1,092
$20.69 ₫532.7K
56.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.81 ฿297
$4.60 ₫118.3K
91.52%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.3
$1.71 ₫44.0K
65.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 ฿29.37
$0.48 ₫12.3K
81.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.64
$0.28 ₫7,150
75.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿86.2
$0.98 ₫25.2K
161.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 ฿124
$1.57 ₫40.5K
134.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.9
$1.39 ₫35.7K
19.42%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿49.25
$0.99 ₫25.5K
47.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.4
$1.00 ₫25.7K
50.00%
Eggs
$2.09 ฿70.4
$1.48 ₫38.1K
41.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 ฿642
$11.86 ₫305.4K
60.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ฿111
$3.63 ₫93.4K
-9.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.91 ฿368
$10.03 ₫258.3K
8.77%
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ฿98.7
$2.69 ₫69.3K
8.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.9
$1.07 ₫27.6K
57.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 ฿75.7
$1.34 ₫34.6K
67.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.08 ฿70.0
$1.12 ₫28.8K
85.71%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ฿50.9
$1.07 ₫27.4K
41.12%
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.47
$1.00 ₫25.8K
38.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.91
$0.70 ₫18.0K
52.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.49
$0.48 ₫12.5K
8.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 ฿142
$1.36 ₫35.1K
208.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 ฿633
$11.51 ₫296.4K
63.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿61.4
$0.79 ₫20.3K
130.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.7
$1.64 ₫42.3K
73.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$0.34 ₫8,880
326.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.7 ฿1,909
$6.40 ₫164.7K
785.31%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ฿102
$0.71 ₫18.2K
325.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.29
$0.66 ₫16.9K
54.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 ฿124
$2.84 ₫73.2K
29.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.70
$0.90 ₫23.3K
63.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K ฿902.4K
$35.7K ₫918.1M
-24.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿899.5K
$31.5K ₫811.6M
-15.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ฿3,247
$74.7 ₫1.9M
28.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26 ฿380
$5.68 ₫146.3K
98.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.85 ฿568
$8.82 ₫227.1K
91.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.2 ฿2,266
$22.20 ₫571.6K
202.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.73 ฿361
$7.87 ₫202.8K
36.34%
Cinema Ticket
$7.50 ฿253
$3.01 ₫77.6K
149.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$476 ฿16.0K
$271 ₫7.0M
75.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ฿379.6K
$11.7K ₫301.7M
-3.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 ฿2,102
$39.94 ₫1.0M
56.13%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.41 ฿957
$22.80 ₫587.2K
24.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 ฿3,178
$87.3 ₫2.2M
7.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 ฿2,892
$74.3 ₫1.9M
15.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.1K
$358 ₫9.2M
99.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.5K
$245 ₫6.3M
100.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,927 ฿64.9K
$722 ₫18.6M
166.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 ฿48.2K
$547 ₫14.1M
161.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,175 ฿140.7K
$2,119 ₫54.6M
97.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,045 ฿102.6K
$1,256 ₫32.3M
142.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ฿16.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
9.1
-38.79%

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

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Last update for Phu Quoc: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Phuket
$491
Phu Quoc
$245 50.1% $246
Groceries & Markets
Phuket
$266
Phu Quoc
$192 27.7% $74
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
$124
Phu Quoc
$89 28.3% $35
Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
$122
Phu Quoc
$101 17.2% $21
Eating Out
Phuket
$122
Phu Quoc
$60 50.4% $61
Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
$82
Phu Quoc
$28 65.7% $54
Getting Around
Phuket
$71
Phu Quoc
$12 83.3% $59

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $716 in Phuket versus $358 in Phu Quoc. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $32 in Phuket versus $21 in Phu Quoc. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $266 vs $192 – making Phu Quoc the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Phuket
🇻🇳 Phu Quoc
🕒 Local time
10:39 10:39 AM
10:39 10:39 AM
Same time as Phuket
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,308
144,460
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

VND, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 33.7 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.77 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 25,750 VND (100,000 VND = 3.88 USD). 1 EUR = 28,861 VND (100,000 VND = 3.46 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Phuket Phu Quoc 670 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Phuket
  • Phu Quoc

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Phu Quoc: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or Phu Quoc?
Phuket costs about 76% more than Phu Quoc, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Phu Quoc?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,917 per month in Phuket and $1,092 in Phu Quoc. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or Phu Quoc?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phu Quoc, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $358 there versus $716 in Phuket.
How expensive is transport in Phuket compared to Phu Quoc?
Public transport costs about 89% less in Phu Quoc. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Phuket and in Phu Quoc?
Kindergarten costs $476 per month in Phuket and $271 in Phu Quoc. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Phu Quoc – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Phuket compared to Phu Quoc?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Phu Quoc is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 43% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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