😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $178 in Reykjahlid.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Phuket versus $262 in Reykjahlid.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,279 in Phuket versus $346 in Reykjahlid.
😐Living in Phuket is roughly 593% more expensive than Reykjahlid, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket8% lower, Reykjahlid87% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63฿151
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.84฿1,532
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84฿289
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.00฿98.0
$6.00ISK 735
-50.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74฿24.25
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37฿11.95
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44฿79.8
$11.75ISK 1,439
-79.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61฿118
$11.68ISK 1,430
-69.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26฿73.9
$2.36ISK 289
-4.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84฿60.1
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24฿73.4
-
-
Eggs
$2.32฿75.7
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67฿643
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65฿119
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10฿428
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.39฿111
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.64฿53.7
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41฿79.0
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03฿66.4
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.56฿50.9
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.50฿48.94
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02฿33.50
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49฿16.00
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45฿145
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.88฿617
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78฿58.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75฿90.1
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40฿45.81
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.48฿376
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.12฿102
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00฿32.67
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.09฿461
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35฿44.19
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K฿888.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K฿1.1M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125฿4,087
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57฿444
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52฿606
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5฿2,010
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84฿551
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.19฿300
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698฿22.8K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6K฿509.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8฿1,889
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.24฿1,152
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113฿3,699
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4฿2,825
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616฿20.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$446฿14.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,048฿67.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,492฿48.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,779฿123.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,649฿86.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Reykjahlid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524฿17.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 27, 2026
Last update for Reykjahlid: April 25, 2026
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 Reykjahlid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reykjahlid cheaper than Phuket?
Reykjahlid is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 593% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,847 in Phuket and $267 in Reykjahlid 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.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and Reykjahlid?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1139% higher in Phuket. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Phuket vs Reykjahlid?
All in, you'll spend $1,232 per month in Phuket versus $178 in Reykjahlid – a 593% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Phuket or Reykjahlid?
At $178 in Reykjahlid versus $1,232 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Reykjahlid but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Reykjahlid the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Reykjahlid more family-friendly?
For families, Reykjahlid 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 Reykjahlid?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Reykjahlid 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 Reykjahlid gentler on the wallet – expenses run 593% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.