Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Targoviste Cost of Living Comparison Between Phuket and Targoviste

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,232 in Phuket versus $964 in Targoviste.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,054 in Phuket versus $1,409 in Targoviste.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,876 in Phuket versus $1,854 in Targoviste.

Living in Phuket is roughly 28% more expensive than in Targoviste, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Phuket 10% lower, Targoviste 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.41 ฿147
$7.69 RON 35.26
-42.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.26 ฿1,073
$27.08 RON 124
19.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.93 ฿297
$6.58 RON 30.15
35.71%
Cappuccino
$2.90 ฿96.3
$2.19 RON 10.03
32.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 ฿29.27
$1.44 RON 6.61
-38.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 ฿16.00
$1.39 RON 6.35
-65.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 ฿78.2
$2.19 RON 10.02
7.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 ฿124
$2.83 RON 12.96
31.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.87 ฿62.0
$1.34 RON 6.13
39.55%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 ฿48.75
$0.91 RON 4.18
61.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.55 ฿51.6
$1.51 RON 6.91
2.65%
Eggs
$2.10 ฿69.9
$2.73 RON 12.50
-23.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.59 ฿651
$3.31 RON 15.17
491.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.42 ฿114
$6.73 RON 30.87
-49.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.38 ฿378
$12.17 RON 55.8
-6.49%
Apples (1kg)
$2.98 ฿99.2
$1.01 RON 4.65
195.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.68 ฿56.0
$1.54 RON 7.05
9.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.21 ฿73.5
$1.54 RON 7.08
43.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.16 ฿71.9
$1.84 RON 8.45
17.39%
Potato (1kg)
$1.52 ฿50.7
$0.82 RON 3.75
85.37%
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 ฿44.49
$0.95 RON 4.34
41.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.13 ฿37.53
$0.73 RON 3.34
54.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ฿18.17
$0.74 RON 3.41
-25.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.26 ฿142
$6.10 RON 27.95
-30.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.09 ฿635
$5.82 RON 26.69
228.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ฿59.2
$1.22 RON 5.58
45.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿92.5
$1.58 RON 7.25
75.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.23 ฿74.1
$0.46 RON 2.10
384.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.74 ฿756
$23.00 RON 105
-1.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.03 ฿101
$0.65 RON 2.98
366.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ฿34.02
$0.63 RON 2.90
61.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.89 ฿129
$6.79 RON 31.12
-42.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49 ฿49.57
$1.63 RON 7.47
-8.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K ฿883.8K
$29.2K RON 133.7K
-8.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K ฿898.7K
$27.2K RON 124.8K
-0.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$102 ฿3,407
$208 RON 952
-50.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.33 ฿377
$7.71 RON 35.35
46.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.40 ฿578
$8.68 RON 39.79
100.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.1 ฿1,732
$22.28 RON 102
133.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.07 ฿368
$21.50 RON 98.6
-48.51%
Cinema Ticket
$7.69 ฿256
$3.39 RON 15.56
126.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$561 ฿18.6K
$335 RON 1,536
67.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K ฿382.6K
$8,641 RON 39.6K
33.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.0 ฿2,096
$59.4 RON 272
6.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.52 ฿982
$33.36 RON 153
-11.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.0 ฿3,259
$56.0 RON 257
75.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.5 ฿2,943
$78.0 RON 358
13.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$738 ฿24.5K
$365 RON 1,673
102.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.0K
$282 RON 1,292
71.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,107 ฿70.0K
$467 RON 2,143
350.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,226 ฿40.8K
$421 RON 1,929
191.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,617 ฿120.3K
$1,931 RON 8,854
87.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,603 ฿86.5K
$1,380 RON 6,329
88.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Targoviste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$494 ฿16.4K
$924 RON 4,235
-46.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.84
-18.57%

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

Last update for Phuket: September 15, 2026

Last update for Targoviste: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $738 in Phuket and $365 in Targoviste. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Targoviste pays 87% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $32.00 in Phuket vs $27.00 in Targoviste for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $274 vs $186 per month, with Targoviste 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 Targoviste: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Targoviste cheaper than Phuket?
Targoviste is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or Targoviste?
On paper, salaries run 87% lower in Targoviste. 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 Targoviste?
Rent for a central apartment: $738 in Phuket versus $365 in Targoviste. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $561 in Phuket versus $335 in Targoviste. 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 Targoviste?
Supermarket bills run roughly 47% higher in Phuket. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Phuket or in Targoviste?
At $964 in Targoviste versus $1,232 in Phuket, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Targoviste but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Targoviste the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Targoviste more family-friendly?
For families, Targoviste 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 Targoviste?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Targoviste 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 Targoviste gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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