πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Port Louis versus $1,265 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,712 in Port Louis versus $2,297 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,356 in Port Louis versus $3,329 in Phuket.
πLiving in Port Louis costs roughly 16% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Port Louis20% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59MURΒ 311
$4.70ΰΈΏ153
40.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.79MURΒ 2,116
$45.37ΰΈΏ1,482
-1.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.16MURΒ 338
$8.43ΰΈΏ275
-15.07%
Cappuccino
$2.56MURΒ 121
$2.93ΰΈΏ95.6
-12.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00MURΒ 47.36
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.40
44.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56MURΒ 26.38
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.99
51.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.25MURΒ 106
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
-6.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24MURΒ 153
$3.72ΰΈΏ122
-12.90%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63MURΒ 76.9
$2.23ΰΈΏ72.9
-26.91%
White Bread(500g)
$0.65MURΒ 30.62
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.8
-64.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32MURΒ 62.4
$2.17ΰΈΏ70.8
-39.17%
Eggs
$2.22MURΒ 105
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.3
0.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.98MURΒ 566
$19.74ΰΈΏ645
-39.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.06MURΒ 286
$3.63ΰΈΏ119
66.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.85MURΒ 607
$13.53ΰΈΏ442
-5.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.03MURΒ 96.0
$3.28ΰΈΏ107
-38.11%
Banana(1kg)
$2.00MURΒ 94.3
$1.61ΰΈΏ52.6
24.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.44MURΒ 68.2
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
-40.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.66MURΒ 126
$2.08ΰΈΏ68.1
27.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02MURΒ 48.28
$1.53ΰΈΏ49.93
-33.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01MURΒ 47.69
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.36
-31.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81MURΒ 38.11
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.29
-18.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80MURΒ 37.85
$0.51ΰΈΏ16.67
56.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.68MURΒ 316
$4.41ΰΈΏ144
51.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.63MURΒ 408
$19.38ΰΈΏ633
-55.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80MURΒ 85.2
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.1
1.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25MURΒ 106
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.6
-16.97%
π Getting Around
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03MURΒ 48.62
$1.37ΰΈΏ44.79
-24.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.00MURΒ 1,040
$11.39ΰΈΏ372
93.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.37MURΒ 207
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.6
44.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.74MURΒ 130
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.48
176.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.46MURΒ 920
$14.10ΰΈΏ461
38.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44MURΒ 68.1
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.51
5.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.5KMURΒ 1.7M
$28.2KΰΈΏ921.1K
29.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0KMURΒ 1.4M
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-11.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.79MURΒ 2,305
$122ΰΈΏ3,975
-59.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.55MURΒ 876
$13.57ΰΈΏ443
36.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.17MURΒ 1,567
$18.31ΰΈΏ598
81.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.33MURΒ 1,149
$60.2ΰΈΏ1,967
-59.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.09MURΒ 193
$17.14ΰΈΏ560
-76.14%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92MURΒ 280
$8.69ΰΈΏ284
-31.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$152MURΒ 7,202
$693ΰΈΏ22.6K
-78.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,933MURΒ 185.8K
$15.7KΰΈΏ512.3K
-74.93%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3MURΒ 4,080
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,944
45.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$80.4MURΒ 3,797
$34.77ΰΈΏ1,136
131.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132MURΒ 6,226
$115ΰΈΏ3,743
14.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.4MURΒ 4,553
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,720
15.69%
π Accommodation & Living
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$463MURΒ 21.9K
$613ΰΈΏ20.0K
-24.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$349MURΒ 16.5K
$437ΰΈΏ14.3K
-20.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$781MURΒ 36.9K
$2,094ΰΈΏ68.4K
-62.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$614MURΒ 29.0K
$1,509ΰΈΏ49.3K
-59.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,106MURΒ 194.0K
$3,749ΰΈΏ122.5K
9.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,078MURΒ 50.9K
$2,616ΰΈΏ85.4K
-58.79%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Louis
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$677MURΒ 32.0K
$508ΰΈΏ16.6K
33.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.67
5.33
25.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Louis: June 2, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $463 in Port Louis and $613 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Port Louis pays 33% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $45.00 in Port Louis vs $45.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $293 per month, with Port Louis 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
Port Louis vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Port Louis?
Port Louis is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment. The 18% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Port Louis or Phuket?
Port Louis pays 33% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Port Louis and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $463 in Port Louis versus $613 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $152 in Port Louis versus $693 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Port Louis and Phuket?
Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Phuket. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Port Louis or Phuket?
At $1,069 in Port Louis versus $1,265 in Phuket, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Port Louis but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Port Louis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Port Louis or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Port Louis 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, Port Louis or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Port Louis and Phuket 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 Port Louis gentler on the wallet β expenses run 18% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Port Louis vs other spots: cost of living compared