Cost of Living Comparison Between Trang and PhuketCost of Living Comparison Between Trang and Phuket
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $996 in Trang versus $1,265 in Phuket.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,572 in Trang versus $2,297 in Phuket.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,149 in Trang versus $3,329 in Phuket.
πLiving in Trang costs roughly 21% less than in Phuket, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Trang26% lower, Phuket6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.89ΰΈΏ61.6
$4.70ΰΈΏ153
-59.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.75ΰΈΏ743
$45.37ΰΈΏ1,482
-49.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.73ΰΈΏ285
$8.43ΰΈΏ275
3.56%
Cappuccino
$3.06ΰΈΏ99.8
$2.93ΰΈΏ95.6
4.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68ΰΈΏ22.30
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.40
-1.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30ΰΈΏ9.79
$0.37ΰΈΏ11.99
-18.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.53ΰΈΏ82.5
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
4.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71ΰΈΏ121
$3.72ΰΈΏ122
-0.27%
π Groceries & Markets
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.16ΰΈΏ70.4
$2.23ΰΈΏ72.9
-3.14%
White Bread(500g)
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.60
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.8
-30.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10ΰΈΏ36.05
$2.17ΰΈΏ70.8
-49.31%
Eggs
$2.19ΰΈΏ71.6
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.3
-0.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.75ΰΈΏ384
$19.74ΰΈΏ645
-40.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.79ΰΈΏ124
$3.63ΰΈΏ119
4.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.36ΰΈΏ436
$13.53ΰΈΏ442
-1.26%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26ΰΈΏ106
$3.28ΰΈΏ107
-0.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68ΰΈΏ54.8
$1.61ΰΈΏ52.6
4.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30ΰΈΏ75.1
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
-4.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.8
$2.08ΰΈΏ68.1
-4.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.42ΰΈΏ46.45
$1.53ΰΈΏ49.93
-7.19%
Onion(1kg)
$1.26ΰΈΏ41.15
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.36
-14.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02ΰΈΏ33.28
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.29
3.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52ΰΈΏ17.08
$0.51ΰΈΏ16.67
1.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.48ΰΈΏ146
$4.41ΰΈΏ144
1.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.03ΰΈΏ621
$19.38ΰΈΏ633
-1.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.2
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70ΰΈΏ88.1
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.6
-0.37%
π Getting Around
Trang
Phuket
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.95ΰΈΏ30.94
$1.37ΰΈΏ44.79
-30.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.39ΰΈΏ372
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.06ΰΈΏ34.67
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.6
-64.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00ΰΈΏ32.52
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.48
1.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.95ΰΈΏ456
$14.10ΰΈΏ461
-1.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13ΰΈΏ36.85
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.51
-16.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8KΰΈΏ909.5K
$28.2KΰΈΏ921.1K
-1.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3KΰΈΏ1.1M
$32.9KΰΈΏ1.1M
1.33%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121ΰΈΏ3,965
$122ΰΈΏ3,975
-0.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.72ΰΈΏ448
$13.57ΰΈΏ443
1.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.19ΰΈΏ594
$18.31ΰΈΏ598
-0.66%
π Sport & Entertainment
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.92ΰΈΏ1,598
$60.2ΰΈΏ1,967
-18.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.44ΰΈΏ406
$17.14ΰΈΏ560
-27.42%
Cinema Ticket
$8.90ΰΈΏ291
$8.69ΰΈΏ284
2.42%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$691ΰΈΏ22.6K
$693ΰΈΏ22.6K
-0.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0KΰΈΏ522.9K
$15.7KΰΈΏ512.3K
2.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.6ΰΈΏ1,882
$59.5ΰΈΏ1,944
-3.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.55ΰΈΏ1,128
$34.77ΰΈΏ1,136
-0.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114ΰΈΏ3,725
$115ΰΈΏ3,743
-0.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.4ΰΈΏ2,755
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,720
1.27%
π Accommodation & Living
Trang
Phuket
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$416ΰΈΏ13.6K
$613ΰΈΏ20.0K
-32.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288ΰΈΏ9,417
$437ΰΈΏ14.3K
-34.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$799ΰΈΏ26.1K
$2,094ΰΈΏ68.4K
-61.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$658ΰΈΏ21.5K
$1,509ΰΈΏ49.3K
-56.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,199ΰΈΏ71.8K
$3,749ΰΈΏ122.5K
-41.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,686ΰΈΏ55.1K
$2,616ΰΈΏ85.4K
-35.54%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Trang
Phuket
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,314ΰΈΏ42.9K
$508ΰΈΏ16.6K
158.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
5.33
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Trang: May 31, 2026
Last update for Phuket: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $416 in Trang and $613 in Phuket. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Trang pays 159% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $23.00 in Trang vs $45.00 in Phuket for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $257 vs $293 per month, with Trang 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
Trang vs Phuket: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phuket cheaper than Trang?
Trang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Trang or Phuket?
Trang pays 159% 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 Trang and Phuket?
Rent for a central apartment: $416 in Trang versus $613 in Phuket. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $691 in Trang versus $693 in Phuket. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Trang or Phuket?
Dining out is cheaper in Trang β a meal for two runs $23.00 versus $45.00 in Phuket. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Trang or Phuket?
At $996 in Trang versus $1,265 in Phuket, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Trang but tight or insufficient in Phuket. The gap between the two cities makes Trang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Trang or Phuket more family-friendly?
For families, Trang 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, Trang or Phuket?
Safety-wise, Trang 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 Trang gentler on the wallet β expenses run 27% less than in Phuket. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.