πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,580 in Torremolinos versus $1,261 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Torremolinos versus $2,286 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,139 in Torremolinos versus $3,310 in Phuket.
πLiving in Torremolinos is roughly 25% more expensive than Phuket, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Torremolinos is 18% above, Phuket is 6% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.07β¬12.13
$4.56ΰΈΏ149
208.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4β¬54.6
$46.63ΰΈΏ1,519
35.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32β¬8.89
$8.47ΰΈΏ276
21.84%
Cappuccino
$2.21β¬1.90
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
-27.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09β¬1.80
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.45
202.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37β¬1.18
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.92
270.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56β¬3.06
$2.49ΰΈΏ81.0
42.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.07β¬3.51
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
11.20%
π Groceries & Markets
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19β¬1.02
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.0
-45.41%
White Bread(500g)
$1.39β¬1.19
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.0
-26.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72β¬1.48
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
-21.82%
Eggs
$2.77β¬2.39
$2.22ΰΈΏ72.4
24.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.14β¬12.19
$19.99ΰΈΏ651
-29.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.49β¬6.45
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
104.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.25β¬12.27
$13.25ΰΈΏ432
7.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.46β¬2.12
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-23.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.98β¬1.70
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
16.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.58β¬1.36
$2.39ΰΈΏ78.0
-33.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.34β¬2.01
$2.08ΰΈΏ67.7
12.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.71β¬1.48
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
7.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.95β¬1.68
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.31
31.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.16β¬1.00
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.54
12.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58β¬0.50
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.83
11.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.51β¬5.61
$4.25ΰΈΏ138
53.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.96β¬5.14
$18.79ΰΈΏ612
-68.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18β¬1.02
$1.76ΰΈΏ57.2
-32.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40β¬2.07
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.8
-13.04%
π Getting Around
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.67β¬1.44
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.32
22.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.44β¬28.81
$11.36ΰΈΏ370
194.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.20β¬1.90
$3.14ΰΈΏ102
-29.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.06β¬0.91
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.74
1.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.81β¬21.37
$13.77ΰΈΏ448
80.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.75β¬1.51
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.79
30.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.9Kβ¬33.5K
$27.7KΰΈΏ901.4K
40.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.8Kβ¬25.6K
$33.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
-12.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111β¬95.6
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
-10.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.71β¬15.26
$13.52ΰΈΏ440
30.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.83β¬25.70
$18.69ΰΈΏ609
59.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.25β¬41.57
$61.8ΰΈΏ2,013
-21.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.21β¬13.10
$17.25ΰΈΏ562
-11.83%
Cinema Ticket
$9.17β¬7.90
$9.14ΰΈΏ298
0.33%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$382β¬329
$703ΰΈΏ22.9K
-45.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,555β¬5,648
$15.9KΰΈΏ517.0K
-58.70%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.9β¬69.7
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,937
36.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.68β¬34.19
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
13.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.2β¬76.9
$115ΰΈΏ3,754
-22.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114β¬98.4
$84.1ΰΈΏ2,737
35.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$869β¬749
$619ΰΈΏ20.1K
40.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$691β¬596
$433ΰΈΏ14.1K
59.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,321β¬1,138
$2,062ΰΈΏ67.2K
-35.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$984β¬848
$1,511ΰΈΏ49.2K
-34.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,370β¬2,903
$3,646ΰΈΏ118.7K
-7.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,175β¬1,874
$2,626ΰΈΏ85.5K
-17.16%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Torremolinos
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,157β¬1,858
$507ΰΈΏ16.5K
325.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.46
5.33
-35.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Torremolinos: June 6, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $869 in Torremolinos and $619 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Torremolinos pays 325% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $63.0 in Torremolinos vs $47.00 in Phuket. Groceries flip the comparison at $252 vs $293, with Torremolinos cheaper for home cooking.
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
Torremolinos vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Torremolinos?
Phuket is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 25% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Torremolinos or Phuket?
Torremolinos pays 325% 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 Torremolinos and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $869 in Torremolinos 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 $382 in Torremolinos versus $703 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 Torremolinos and Phuket?
Shoppers in Torremolinos pay roughly 16% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Torremolinos or Phuket?
At $1,261 in Phuket versus $1,580 in Torremolinos, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Phuket but tight or insufficient in Torremolinos. The gap between the two cities makes Phuket the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Torremolinos or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Phuket is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Torremolinos, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Torremolinos or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Torremolinos 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 25% less than in Torremolinos. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Torremolinos vs other spots: cost of living compared