ðA single person spends $1,270 per month in Phuket vs $736 in Phu Quoc, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,304 per month in Phuket vs $1,181 in Phu Quoc, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,339 per month in Phuket vs $1,626 in Phu Quoc, rent included.
ðPhuket costs about 72% more than Phu Quoc, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Phuket and Phu Quoc are more affordable than the global median â Phuket5% lower, Phu Quoc45% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.66āļŋ150
$1.94âŦ50.9K
140.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.44āļŋ1,496
$20.90âŦ548.6K
122.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.68āļŋ280
$4.46âŦ117.0K
94.62%
Cappuccino
$2.95āļŋ95.0
$1.78âŦ46.7K
65.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70āļŋ22.52
$0.47âŦ12.3K
48.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39āļŋ12.70
$0.28âŦ7,270
39.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.53āļŋ81.6
$0.93âŦ24.4K
172.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78āļŋ122
$1.50âŦ39.4K
152.00%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.22āļŋ71.5
$1.37âŦ35.9K
62.04%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80āļŋ57.8
$0.97âŦ25.4K
85.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19āļŋ70.4
$0.96âŦ25.2K
128.13%
Eggs
$2.31āļŋ74.5
$1.43âŦ37.5K
61.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.34āļŋ623
$11.84âŦ310.7K
63.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77āļŋ121
$3.78âŦ99.2K
-0.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.22āļŋ426
$9.94âŦ261.0K
33.00%
Apples(1kg)
$3.33āļŋ107
$2.79âŦ73.1K
19.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.1
$1.02âŦ26.8K
61.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29āļŋ73.7
$1.30âŦ34.2K
76.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.99āļŋ64.1
$1.09âŦ28.5K
82.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53āļŋ49.24
$1.02âŦ26.8K
50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51āļŋ48.77
$1.02âŦ26.7K
48.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03āļŋ33.12
$0.66âŦ17.3K
56.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.57
$0.48âŦ12.7K
6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.41āļŋ142
$1.32âŦ34.6K
234.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.41āļŋ625
$11.22âŦ294.5K
72.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ58.0
$0.80âŦ21.0K
125.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68āļŋ86.4
$1.58âŦ41.5K
69.62%
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43āļŋ46.11
$0.34âŦ8,980
320.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.70āļŋ377
$6.43âŦ168.6K
81.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.04āļŋ97.9
$0.67âŦ17.6K
353.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.04āļŋ33.37
$0.61âŦ16.1K
70.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.68āļŋ441
$2.75âŦ72.1K
397.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30āļŋ41.85
$0.84âŦ22.2K
54.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9Kāļŋ898.9K
$34.8KâŦ913.8M
-19.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0Kāļŋ1.1M
$31.6KâŦ830.3M
4.41%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$123āļŋ3,962
$74.9âŦ2.0M
64.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.82āļŋ445
$5.73âŦ150.3K
141.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.86āļŋ608
$8.77âŦ230.2K
115.05%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.2āļŋ1,970
$22.28âŦ584.6K
174.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.81āļŋ541
$7.54âŦ198.0K
122.94%
Cinema Ticket
$8.87āļŋ286
$3.03âŦ79.4K
192.74%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$696āļŋ22.4K
$261âŦ6.9M
166.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.1Kāļŋ517.4K
$11.7KâŦ305.9M
37.74%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.3āļŋ1,910
$41.32âŦ1.1M
43.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.85āļŋ1,123
$22.83âŦ599.2K
52.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113āļŋ3,646
$85.5âŦ2.2M
32.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.1āļŋ2,740
$74.6âŦ2.0M
13.96%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$615āļŋ19.8K
$354âŦ9.3M
73.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$448āļŋ14.4K
$250âŦ6.6M
79.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,085āļŋ67.2K
$735âŦ19.3M
183.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,496āļŋ48.2K
$536âŦ14.1M
179.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,734āļŋ120.3K
$2,057âŦ54.0M
81.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,662āļŋ85.8K
$1,227âŦ32.2M
116.86%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Phu Quoc
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$534āļŋ17.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
9.1
-41.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 20, 2026
Last update for Phu Quoc: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $615 in Phuket versus $354 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $46 in Phuket versus $21 in Phu Quoc. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $291 vs $191 â making Phu Quoc 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 Phu Quoc: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Phuket or Phu Quoc?
Phuket costs about 72% more than Phu Quoc, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Phu Quoc?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Phuket and $1,105 in Phu Quoc. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Phuket or Phu Quoc?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Phu Quoc, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Phuket vs Phu Quoc?
Public transport costs about 82% 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 Phu Quoc?
Kindergarten costs $696 per month in Phuket and $261 in Phu Quoc. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Phuket or Phu Quoc?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Phu Quoc, where all-in costs run around $736, than in Phuket at $1,270. In Phu Quoc it covers expenses comfortably, while in Phuket it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Phuket or Phu Quoc?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Phu Quoc costs $736 versus $1,270 in Phuket. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Phuket compared to Phu Quoc?
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.
Should I move to Phuket or Phu Quoc?
If budget matters most, go with Phu Quoc. 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.