πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,080 in Puente Alto versus $1,261 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,638 in Puente Alto versus $2,286 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,196 in Puente Alto versus $3,310 in Phuket.
πLiving in Puente Alto costs roughly 14% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Puente Alto20% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.65CLPΒ 7,775
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
89.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.01CLPΒ 40.5K
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
-3.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.85CLPΒ 7,054
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
-7.32%
Cappuccino
$2.70CLPΒ 2,424
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
-10.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35CLPΒ 1,210
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
95.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07CLPΒ 962
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
189.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.27CLPΒ 2,942
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
31.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10CLPΒ 3,682
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
12.02%
π Groceries & Markets
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24CLPΒ 1,111
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-43.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57CLPΒ 1,411
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
-17.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86CLPΒ 1,674
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
-15.45%
Eggs
$3.49CLPΒ 3,139
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
57.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.31CLPΒ 9,268
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
-48.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.71CLPΒ 6,034
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
83.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.80CLPΒ 9,707
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
-18.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.84CLPΒ 1,652
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-43.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,403
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
-8.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53CLPΒ 1,371
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
-35.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.44CLPΒ 1,294
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
-30.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,143
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-20.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37CLPΒ 1,227
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
-7.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23CLPΒ 1,101
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
19.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17CLPΒ 1,053
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.32CLPΒ 4,781
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
25.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.81CLPΒ 5,219
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-69.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,401
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
-11.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30CLPΒ 2,066
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
-16.67%
π Getting Around
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58CLPΒ 517
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
-57.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47CLPΒ 425
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
-85.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43CLPΒ 1,288
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
6.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3KCLPΒ 17.3M
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
-30.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7KCLPΒ 19.5M
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-35.91%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$134CLPΒ 120.1K
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
8.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.47CLPΒ 12.1K
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
-0.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.94CLPΒ 19.7K
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
17.39%
π Sport & Entertainment
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.31CLPΒ 34.4K
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-38.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.54CLPΒ 19.4K
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
24.87%
Cinema Ticket
$5.81CLPΒ 5,221
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
-36.43%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$444CLPΒ 398.7K
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
-36.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.1CLPΒ 45.0K
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
-15.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.77CLPΒ 26.8K
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
-15.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.3CLPΒ 55.1K
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-46.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.3CLPΒ 74.8K
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
-0.93%
π Accommodation & Living
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$480CLPΒ 430.9K
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
-22.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$378CLPΒ 339.8K
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
-12.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$880CLPΒ 791.0K
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
-57.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$587CLPΒ 527.3K
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
-61.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Puente Alto
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
5.33
-2.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Puente Alto: June 8, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $480 in Puente Alto and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $45.00 in Puente Alto vs $47.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $228 vs $293 per month, with Puente Alto 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
Puente Alto vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Puente Alto?
Puente Alto is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 17% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,620 in Puente Alto and $1,892 in Phuket 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.
What is the rent difference between Puente Alto and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $480 in Puente Alto versus $619 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $444 in Puente Alto versus $703 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Puente Alto or Phuket?
Dining out is cheaper in Puente Alto β a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $47.00 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Puente Alto or Phuket?
At $1,080 in Puente Alto versus $1,261 in Phuket, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Puente Alto but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Puente Alto the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Puente Alto or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Puente Alto 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, Puente Alto or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Puente Alto 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 Puente Alto gentler on the wallet β expenses run 17% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Puente Alto vs other spots: cost of living compared