😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,265 in Phuket versus $241 in Punta Gorda.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,089 in Phuket versus $455 in Punta Gorda.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,913 in Phuket versus $669 in Punta Gorda.
🌍Living in Phuket is roughly 424% more expensive than in Punta Gorda, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket8% lower, Punta Gorda82% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.66฿155
$15.23BZD 30.46
-69.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.22฿1,070
$39.97BZD 80.0
-19.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.68฿288
$10.10BZD 20.20
-14.06%
Cappuccino
$2.90฿96.3
$3.43BZD 6.86
-15.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84฿28.02
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49฿16.24
$1.98BZD 3.95
-75.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48฿82.4
$6.05BZD 12.10
-59.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73฿124
$4.07BZD 8.14
-8.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89฿62.6
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.41฿46.76
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.62฿53.8
-
-
Eggs
$2.24฿74.4
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.84฿659
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.48฿115
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.37฿377
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.90฿96.3
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.72฿57.3
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27฿75.5
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.13฿70.8
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.47฿48.96
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.42฿47.14
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.10฿36.43
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60฿19.86
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.31฿143
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.60฿618
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80฿59.8
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97฿98.5
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.25฿74.6
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.49฿780
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.10฿103
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.08฿35.73
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.87฿129
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43฿47.39
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K฿922.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K฿895.9K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105฿3,479
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.39฿378
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.54฿582
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.3฿1,804
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.44฿380
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.78฿258
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$576฿19.1K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.6K฿384.5K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.6฿2,113
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.10฿966
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.2฿3,195
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.0฿2,988
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$733฿24.3K
$607BZD 1,214
20.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$501฿16.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126฿70.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,252฿41.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,534฿117.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,622฿87.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Punta Gorda
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$508฿16.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: September 6, 2026
Last update for Punta Gorda: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $733 in Phuket and $607 in Punta Gorda. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $32.00 in Phuket vs $40.00 in Punta Gorda for two.
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 Punta Gorda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Punta Gorda cheaper than Phuket?
Punta Gorda is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 424% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,898 in Phuket and $362 in Punta Gorda to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Phuket and Punta Gorda?
Rent for a central apartment: $733 in Phuket versus $607 in Punta Gorda. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Phuket or in Punta Gorda?
Dining out is cheaper in Punta Gorda – a meal for two runs $40.00 versus $32.00 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket and in Punta Gorda?
All in, you'll spend $1,265 per month in Phuket versus $241 in Punta Gorda – a 424% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Punta Gorda?
At $241 in Punta Gorda versus $1,265 in Phuket, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Punta Gorda but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Punta Gorda the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Punta Gorda more family-friendly?
For families, Punta Gorda is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Phuket, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Punta Gorda?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Punta Gorda are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Punta Gorda gentler on the wallet – expenses run 424% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.