ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Phuket versus $1,834 in Turnhout.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,276 in Phuket versus $2,636 in Turnhout.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,306 in Phuket versus $3,439 in Turnhout.
ðLiving in Phuket costs roughly 32% less than in Turnhout, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Phuket is 7% below, Turnhout is 36% above.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.59āļŋ147
$17.54âŽ14.93
-73.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.83āļŋ1,501
$63.5âŽ54.0
-26.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.70āļŋ279
$11.38âŽ9.69
-23.55%
Cappuccino
$2.92āļŋ93.7
$3.67âŽ3.13
-20.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68āļŋ21.92
$2.86âŽ2.44
-76.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40āļŋ12.70
$2.54âŽ2.16
-84.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.51āļŋ80.4
$3.37âŽ2.87
-25.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ122
$3.62âŽ3.08
4.97%
ð Groceries & Markets
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.16āļŋ69.3
$0.93âŽ0.79
132.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.88āļŋ60.3
$2.09âŽ1.77
-10.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16āļŋ69.2
$3.00âŽ2.55
-28.00%
Eggs
$2.22āļŋ71.2
$3.46âŽ2.95
-35.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.57āļŋ627
$11.95âŽ10.17
63.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.80āļŋ122
$10.16âŽ8.65
-62.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.41āļŋ430
$17.33âŽ14.75
-22.62%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26āļŋ104
$2.64âŽ2.24
23.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61āļŋ51.7
$2.26âŽ1.92
-28.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.31āļŋ74.0
$2.01âŽ1.71
14.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06āļŋ66.0
$2.57âŽ2.19
-19.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.61āļŋ51.5
$2.14âŽ1.83
-24.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.44āļŋ46.26
$1.64âŽ1.40
-12.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03āļŋ33.01
$1.13âŽ0.96
-8.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48āļŋ15.39
$1.24âŽ1.05
-61.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.50āļŋ144
$7.47âŽ6.35
-39.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.18āļŋ615
$5.40âŽ4.59
255.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82āļŋ58.4
$1.30âŽ1.11
40.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69āļŋ86.2
$2.08âŽ1.77
29.33%
ð Getting Around
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.38āļŋ44.16
$2.92âŽ2.48
-52.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.76āļŋ377
$55.6âŽ47.34
-78.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.11āļŋ99.6
$6.22âŽ5.30
-50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00āļŋ32.18
$2.68âŽ2.28
-62.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.74āļŋ441
$34.99âŽ29.78
-60.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30āļŋ41.61
$1.91âŽ1.63
-31.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4Kāļŋ877.0K
$29.9KâŽ25.5K
-8.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0Kāļŋ1.1M
$28.1KâŽ23.9K
17.34%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125āļŋ4,004
$185âŽ157
-32.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.74āļŋ440
$21.34âŽ18.16
-35.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.61āļŋ597
$48.37âŽ41.16
-61.53%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6āļŋ1,941
$75.7âŽ64.4
-19.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.15āļŋ550
$17.29âŽ14.72
-0.81%
Cinema Ticket
$9.01āļŋ289
$13.95âŽ11.87
-35.41%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698āļŋ22.4K
$658âŽ560
6.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.1Kāļŋ516.5K
$13.6KâŽ11.5K
18.71%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.2āļŋ1,898
$94.0âŽ80.0
-37.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.86āļŋ1,118
$31.92âŽ27.16
9.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114āļŋ3,662
$68.5âŽ58.3
66.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8āļŋ2,751
$116âŽ98.4
-25.78%
ð Accommodation & Living
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$619āļŋ19.8K
$820âŽ698
-24.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$437āļŋ14.0K
$697âŽ593
-37.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,075āļŋ66.5K
$1,063âŽ905
95.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,509āļŋ48.4K
$920âŽ783
63.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,764āļŋ120.7K
$3,442âŽ2,929
9.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,694āļŋ86.4K
$2,562âŽ2,180
5.13%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Phuket
Turnhout
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$528āļŋ16.9K
$2,783âŽ2,368
-81.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
2
166.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phuket: April 13, 2026
Last update for Turnhout: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $619 in Phuket and $820 in Turnhout. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Turnhout pays 427% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $47 in Phuket vs $63 in Turnhout for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $293 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 Turnhout: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turnhout cheaper than Phuket?
Phuket is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 47% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Phuket or Turnhout?
On paper, Turnhout earns 427% less. 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 Turnhout?
Rent for a central apartment: $619 in Phuket versus $820 in Turnhout. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $698 in Phuket versus $658 in Turnhout. 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 Turnhout?
Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Turnhout. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Phuket or Turnhout?
At $1,247 in Phuket versus $1,834 in Turnhout, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Turnhout. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Phuket or Turnhout more family-friendly?
For families, Phuket is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Turnhout, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Turnhout?
Safety-wise, Phuket and Turnhout 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 â expenses run 47% less than in Turnhout. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.