πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,870 in Show Low, AZ versus $1,261 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,926 in Show Low, AZ versus $2,286 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,982 in Show Low, AZ versus $3,310 in Phuket.
πLiving in Show Low, AZ is roughly 128% more expensive than Phuket, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Show Low, AZ is 114% above, Phuket is 6% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.68$17.68
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
287.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.1$79.1
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
69.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$18.14$18.14
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
114.17%
Cappuccino
$5.91$5.91
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
95.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44$3.44
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
398.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68$2.68
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
624.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.17$6.17
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
147.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13$7.13
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
94.81%
π Groceries & Markets
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42$1.42
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-34.86%
White Bread(500g)
$4.37$4.37
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
130.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.31$4.31
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
95.91%
Eggs
$4.29$4.29
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
93.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.49$12.49
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
-37.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.63$11.63
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
217.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.73$15.73
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
18.72%
Apples(1kg)
$4.89$4.89
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
51.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64$1.64
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
-3.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.16$4.16
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
74.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.81$4.81
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
131.25%
Potato(1kg)
$2.87$2.87
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
80.50%
Onion(1kg)
$2.92$2.92
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
97.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.95$1.95
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
89.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20$2.20
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
323.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.69$9.69
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
128.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.74$14.74
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-21.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
0.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44$3.44
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
24.64%
π Getting Around
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.96$1.96
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
44.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.56$3.56
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
13.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
53.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.75$29.75
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
116.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82$0.82
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
-38.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K$29.1K
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
5.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K$25.5K
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-24.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184$184
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
48.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.0$52.0
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
284.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$99.9$99.9
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
434.35%
π Sport & Entertainment
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.63$44.63
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-27.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.03$9.03
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
-1.20%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,291$1,291
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
83.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.5K$23.5K
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
48.18%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.06$49.06
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
-17.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.52$39.52
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
12.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.8$89.8
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-22.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104$104
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
24.07%
π Accommodation & Living
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,473$1,473
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
138.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,576$1,576
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
264.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,525$2,525
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
22.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,208$2,208
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
46.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,891$2,891
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-20.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,489$2,489
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-5.21%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Show Low, AZ
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
5.33
22.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Show Low, AZ: June 7, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,473 in Show Low, AZ and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $79.0 in Show Low, AZ vs $47.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $404 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
Show Low, AZ vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Show Low, AZ?
Phuket is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 128% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $4,305 in Show Low, AZ 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 Show Low, AZ and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,473 in Show Low, AZ 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 $1,291 in Show Low, AZ 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 Show Low, AZ or Phuket?
Dining out is cheaper in Phuket β a meal for two runs $47.00 versus $79.0 in Show Low, AZ. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Show Low, AZ or Phuket?
At $1,261 in Phuket versus $2,870 in Show Low, AZ, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Show Low, AZ. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Show Low, AZ or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Phuket is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Show Low, AZ, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Show Low, AZ or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Show Low, AZ 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 Phuket gentler on the wallet β expenses run 128% less than in Show Low, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Show Low, AZ vs other spots: cost of living compared