Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Temuco and Phuket

For one person, living is cheaper in Temuco: $1,064 a month against $1,278 in Phuket, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Temuco, Chile
Phuket, Thailand
Temuco
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,064
/mo nomad
Phuket
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,278
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Temuco and in Phuket

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Temuco and in Phuket actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,064 in Temuco versus $1,278 in Phuket.

  • Temuco $1,064
  • Phuket $1,278

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,594 in Temuco versus $2,216 in Phuket.

  • Temuco $1,594
  • Phuket $2,216

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,124 in Temuco versus $3,154 in Phuket.

  • Temuco $2,124
  • Phuket $3,154

Living in Temuco costs roughly 17% less than in Phuket, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Temuco 22% lower, Phuket 6% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.38 CLP 7,335
$4.47 ฿151
65.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.40 CLP 30.2K
$32.41 ฿1,093
-6.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.20 CLP 7,156
$8.81 ฿297
-18.27%
Cappuccino
$3.77 CLP 3,743
$2.83 ฿95.4
33.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 CLP 2,152
$0.87 ฿29.41
149.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 CLP 1,044
$0.49 ฿16.65
114.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.56 CLP 3,539
$2.56 ฿86.3
39.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 CLP 3,324
$3.68 ฿124
-8.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 CLP 1,143
$1.66 ฿55.9
-30.72%
White Bread (500g)
$1.61 CLP 1,602
$1.46 ฿49.31
10.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 CLP 1,171
$1.50 ฿50.5
-21.33%
Eggs
$3.46 CLP 3,432
$2.09 ฿70.5
65.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.27 CLP 8,215
$19.07 ฿643
-56.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.16 CLP 5,122
$3.30 ฿111
56.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.92 CLP 8,866
$10.91 ฿368
-18.24%
Apples (1kg)
$2.08 CLP 2,063
$2.93 ฿98.9
-29.01%
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 CLP 2,066
$1.69 ฿57.0
23.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 CLP 2,021
$2.25 ฿75.8
-9.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.01 CLP 1,994
$2.08 ฿70.0
-3.37%
Potato (1kg)
$2.38 CLP 2,362
$1.51 ฿51.0
57.62%
Onion (1kg)
$2.17 CLP 2,153
$1.38 ฿46.52
57.25%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.49 CLP 1,481
$1.07 ฿35.96
39.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 CLP 1,166
$0.52 ฿17.51
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.67 CLP 4,635
$4.20 ฿142
11.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.72 CLP 4,692
$18.79 ฿634
-74.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51 CLP 1,503
$1.82 ฿61.5
-17.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 CLP 1,995
$2.84 ฿95.8
-29.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.82 CLP 810
$1.45 ฿48.98
-43.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.91 CLP 32.7K
$56.7 ฿1,912
-41.92%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 CLP 766
$3.02 ฿102
-74.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CLP 1,474
$1.02 ฿34.33
45.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.85 CLP 8,792
$3.69 ฿125
139.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 CLP 1,291
$1.47 ฿49.76
-11.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.9K CLP 11.8M
$26.8K ฿903.4K
-55.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4K CLP 17.3M
$26.7K ฿900.5K
-34.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$137 CLP 136.2K
$96.4 ฿3,251
42.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.31 CLP 11.2K
$11.26 ฿380
0.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.74 CLP 22.6K
$16.85 ฿568
34.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.54 CLP 47.2K
$67.2 ฿2,268
-29.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$45.80 CLP 45.5K
$10.73 ฿362
326.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.42 CLP 4,392
$7.50 ฿253
-41.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$210 CLP 208.4K
$476 ฿16.1K
-55.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,764 CLP 2.7M
$11.3K ฿380.0K
-75.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.54 CLP 44.2K
$62.4 ฿2,104
-28.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.35 CLP 17.2K
$28.41 ฿958
-38.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$63.5 CLP 63.0K
$94.3 ฿3,181
-32.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.2 CLP 81.7K
$85.8 ฿2,895
-4.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$385 CLP 382.7K
$716 ฿24.2K
-46.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$319 CLP 316.4K
$491 ฿16.6K
-35.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$712 CLP 707.2K
$1,927 ฿65.0K
-63.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$503 CLP 499.6K
$1,431 ฿48.3K
-64.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,942 CLP 1.9M
$4,175 ฿140.9K
-53.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,632 CLP 1.6M
$3,045 ฿102.7K
-46.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Temuco
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$516 CLP 512.8K
$502 ฿16.9K
2.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.8
5.57
-13.82%

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

Last update for Temuco: October 24, 2026

Last update for Phuket: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Temuco
$319
Phuket
$491 54.1% $172
Groceries & Markets
Temuco
$217
Phuket
$266 22.6% $49
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Temuco
$171
Phuket
$124 27.3% $47
Eating Out
Temuco
$163
Phuket
$122 25.5% $42
Clothing & Footwear
Temuco
$93
Phuket
$122 30.5% $28
Sport & Entertainment
Temuco
$56
Phuket
$82 45.8% $26
Getting Around
Temuco
$44
Phuket
$71 59.1% $26

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $385 in Temuco and $716 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Temuco pays 3% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $30 in Temuco vs $32 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $217 vs $266 per month, with Temuco cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇱 Temuco
🇹🇭 Phuket
🕒 Local time
04:50 4:50 AM
14:50 2:50 PM
10 h ahead of Temuco
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
235,509
79,308
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to CLP – Chilean Peso Converter

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 993 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.01 USD). 1 EUR = 1,109 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.02 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Temuco Phuket 16,470 km ≈ 21 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Temuco
  • Phuket

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Temuco vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Temuco cheaper than Phuket?
Temuco is about 17% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and transport. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You’d need roughly $1,596 in Temuco and $1,917 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 Temuco and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $385 in Temuco versus $716 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $210 in Temuco versus $476 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 Temuco and in Phuket?
Supermarket bills run roughly 23% higher in Phuket. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,000 enough for either Temuco or Phuket?
Either city works on $2,000 a month, though Temuco gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Temuco or in Phuket?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Temuco gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Temuco vs other spots: cost of living compared

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