Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and St. Albert, AB Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and St. Albert, AB

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,223 in Phuket versus $2,379 in St. Albert, AB.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,237 in Phuket versus $3,163 in St. Albert, AB.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,251 in Phuket versus $3,947 in St. Albert, AB.

Living in Phuket costs roughly 49% less than in St. Albert, AB, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 8% below, St. Albert, AB is 79% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.51 ฿148
$18.48 CA$26.12
-75.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.62 ฿1,528
$65.5 CA$92.6
-28.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.49 ฿278
$11.20 CA$15.83
-24.20%
Cappuccino
$3.08 ฿101
$3.82 CA$5.40
-19.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 ฿22.26
$2.08 CA$2.94
-67.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿11.84
$1.82 CA$2.57
-80.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.43 ฿79.5
$5.05 CA$7.14
-51.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 ฿119
$6.03 CA$8.52
-39.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.19 ฿71.7
$2.00 CA$2.83
9.50%
White Bread (500g)
$1.81 ฿59.5
$2.72 CA$3.84
-33.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.23 ฿73.1
$3.16 CA$4.47
-29.43%
Eggs
$2.24 ฿73.3
$3.34 CA$4.72
-32.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.60 ฿642
$13.95 CA$19.71
40.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.72 ฿122
$12.72 CA$17.98
-70.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.47 ฿441
$16.39 CA$23.17
-17.82%
Apples (1kg)
$3.36 ฿110
$4.35 CA$6.14
-22.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 ฿53.0
$1.38 CA$1.95
17.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.41 ฿79.0
$3.91 CA$5.52
-38.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.99 ฿65.2
$4.04 CA$5.71
-50.74%
Potato (1kg)
$1.53 ฿50.2
$2.68 CA$3.79
-42.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.45 ฿47.59
$2.73 CA$3.86
-46.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ฿33.23
$2.62 CA$3.71
-61.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ฿15.86
$1.92 CA$2.72
-75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27 ฿140
$14.93 CA$21.10
-71.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.12 ฿627
$12.36 CA$17.47
54.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 ฿60.2
$2.93 CA$4.15
-37.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 ฿89.8
$3.23 CA$4.57
-15.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.42 ฿46.44
$2.15 CA$3.03
-33.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.72 ฿384
$63.6 CA$89.9
-81.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.00 ฿98.4
$3.47 CA$4.90
-13.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.05 ฿34.28
$1.35 CA$1.91
-22.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.90 ฿456
$23.25 CA$32.87
-40.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29 ฿42.28
$1.09 CA$1.55
18.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K ฿918.7K
$25.3K CA$35.8K
10.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K ฿1.1M
$21.7K CA$30.6K
54.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 ฿3,997
$202 CA$286
-39.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.93 ฿457
$41.70 CA$59.0
-66.59%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.87 ฿618
$58.1 CA$82.1
-67.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.3 ฿2,008
$41.33 CA$58.4
48.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.84 ฿552
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.89 ฿291
$12.59 CA$17.79
-29.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$691 ฿22.7K
$705 CA$996
-1.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.2K ฿529.5K
$11.8K CA$16.6K
37.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8 ฿1,894
$59.0 CA$83.4
-2.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.39 ฿1,160
$41.77 CA$59.0
-15.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 ฿3,716
$83.0 CA$117
36.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.0 ฿2,720
$108 CA$153
-23.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$607 ฿19.9K
$1,301 CA$1,839
-53.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$448 ฿14.7K
$1,162 CA$1,642
-61.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,029 ฿66.5K
$1,399 CA$1,977
45.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,493 ฿48.9K
$1,159 CA$1,638
28.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,585 ฿117.5K
$2,607 CA$3,685
37.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,585 ฿84.7K
$2,568 CA$3,630
0.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$505 ฿16.5K
$3,140 CA$4,438
-83.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.33
6.08
-12.34%

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

Last update for Phuket: June 13, 2026

Last update for St. Albert, AB: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $607 in Phuket and $1,301 in St. Albert, AB. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

St. Albert, AB pays 522% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $47.00 in Phuket vs $66.0 in St. Albert, AB for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $387 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 St. Albert, AB: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Albert, AB cheaper than Phuket?
Phuket is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 94% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or St. Albert, AB?
On paper, salaries run 522% lower in St. Albert, AB. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Phuket and St. Albert, AB?
Rent for a central apartment: $607 in Phuket versus $1,301 in St. Albert, AB. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $691 in Phuket versus $705 in St. Albert, AB. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Phuket and in St. Albert, AB?
Supermarket bills run roughly 32% higher in St. Albert, AB. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in St. Albert, AB?
At $1,223 in Phuket versus $2,379 in St. Albert, AB, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in St. Albert, AB. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or St. Albert, AB more family-friendly?
For families, Phuket is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in St. Albert, AB, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Phuket or St. Albert, AB?
Safety-wise, Phuket and St. Albert, AB 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 Phuket gentler on the wallet – expenses run 94% less than in St. Albert, AB. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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