Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarkand and Phuket Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarkand and Phuket

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $632 in Samarkand versus $1,265 in Phuket.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,023 in Samarkand versus $2,089 in Phuket.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,413 in Samarkand versus $2,913 in Phuket.

Living in Samarkand costs roughly 50% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Samarkand 54% lower, Phuket 8% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.91 UZS 81.2K
$4.66 ฿154
48.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.86 UZS 233.6K
$32.22 ฿1,065
-38.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.78 UZS 56.2K
$8.68 ฿287
-44.93%
Cappuccino
$2.47 UZS 29.1K
$2.90 ฿95.8
-14.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 UZS 8,116
$0.84 ฿27.89
-17.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19 UZS 2,217
$0.49 ฿16.16
-61.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.50 UZS 17.6K
$2.48 ฿82.0
-39.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 UZS 26.2K
$3.73 ฿123
-40.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 UZS 12.8K
$1.89 ฿62.3
-42.86%
White Bread (500g)
$0.33 UZS 3,834
$1.41 ฿46.54
-76.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 UZS 19.2K
$1.62 ฿53.6
0.62%
Eggs
$1.39 UZS 16.3K
$2.24 ฿74.1
-37.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.28 UZS 97.4K
$19.84 ฿656
-58.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.38 UZS 51.5K
$3.48 ฿115
25.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.63 UZS 125.0K
$11.37 ฿376
-6.51%
Apples (1kg)
$0.81 UZS 9,513
$2.90 ฿95.8
-72.07%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 UZS 21.5K
$1.72 ฿57.0
6.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.75 UZS 20.6K
$2.27 ฿75.1
-22.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 UZS 20.3K
$2.13 ฿70.4
-18.78%
Potato (1kg)
$0.49 UZS 5,748
$1.47 ฿48.72
-66.67%
Onion (1kg)
$0.17 UZS 2,013
$1.42 ฿46.92
-88.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.24 UZS 2,814
$1.10 ฿36.25
-78.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 UZS 4,720
$0.60 ฿19.76
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.67 UZS 19.7K
$4.31 ฿142
-61.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.32 UZS 39.0K
$18.60 ฿615
-82.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 UZS 11.7K
$1.80 ฿59.5
-45.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 UZS 25.1K
$2.97 ฿98.0
-27.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 UZS 3,066
$2.25 ฿74.2
-88.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.32 UZS 39.1K
$23.49 ฿776
-85.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.37 UZS 4,311
$3.10 ฿102
-88.06%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.32 UZS 3,804
$1.08 ฿35.56
-70.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.40 UZS 39.9K
$3.87 ฿128
-12.14%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 UZS 12.9K
$1.43 ฿47.16
-23.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.9K UZS 198.4M
$27.8K ฿918.0K
-39.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K UZS 284.8M
$27.0K ฿891.5K
-10.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.06 UZS 506.4K
$105 ฿3,462
-58.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.86 UZS 45.4K
$11.39 ฿376
-66.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.68 UZS 160.9K
$17.54 ฿580
-22.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.94 UZS 469.7K
$54.3 ฿1,795
-26.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.94 UZS 81.6K
$11.44 ฿378
-39.34%
Cinema Ticket
$3.22 UZS 37.8K
$7.78 ฿257
-58.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$331 UZS 3.9M
$576 ฿19.0K
-42.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,569 UZS 89.0M
$11.6K ฿382.7K
-34.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.85 UZS 245.2K
$63.6 ฿2,103
-67.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.23 UZS 508.4K
$29.10 ฿961
48.56%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.5 UZS 899.8K
$96.2 ฿3,179
-20.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.5 UZS 699.3K
$90.0 ฿2,974
-33.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$250 UZS 2.9M
$733 ฿24.2K
-65.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$166 UZS 2.0M
$501 ฿16.5K
-66.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$469 UZS 5.5M
$2,126 ฿70.2K
-77.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$319 UZS 3.8M
$1,252 ฿41.4K
-74.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,263 UZS 14.9M
$3,534 ฿116.8K
-64.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$558 UZS 6.6M
$2,622 ฿86.6K
-78.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarkand
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$311 UZS 3.7M
$508 ฿16.8K
-38.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
23.31
5.57
318.49%

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

Last update for Samarkand: September 7, 2026

Last update for Phuket: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $250 in Samarkand and $733 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Phuket pays 63% 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: $20.00 in Samarkand vs $32.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $159 vs $275 per month, with Samarkand 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
Samarkand vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Samarkand?
Samarkand is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 100% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Samarkand or Phuket?
On paper, salaries run 63% lower in Phuket. 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 Samarkand and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $250 in Samarkand versus $733 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $331 in Samarkand versus $576 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 Samarkand and in Phuket?
Supermarket bills run roughly 73% higher in Phuket. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Samarkand or in Phuket?
At $632 in Samarkand versus $1,265 in Phuket, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Samarkand but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Samarkand the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Samarkand or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Samarkand 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, Samarkand or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Samarkand 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 Samarkand gentler on the wallet – expenses run 100% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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