Phuket Cost of Living Breakdown (2025): Rent, Food, Transport & More
Phuket remains one of Thailand’s most desirable expat destinations, but prices have shifted significantly in 2025. This detailed breakdown helps digital nomads, retirees, and families budget accurately for life on the island.
2025 Monthly Cost of Living in Phuket Overview
| Lifestyle | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 35,000฿ | 55,000฿ | 90,000฿ |
| Comfortable | 60,000฿ | 90,000฿ | 150,000฿ |
| Luxury | 100,000฿+ | 150,000฿+ | 250,000฿+ |
*All figures in Thai Baht
Cost of Living in Phuket (Monthly)
Rent Prices
| Type | Rawai | Patong | Laguna |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 12,000-18,000฿ | 15,000-25,000฿ | 20,000-30,000฿ |
| 1-Bed | 18,000-25,000฿ | 25,000-35,000฿ | 30,000-45,000฿ |
| 2-Bed Villa | 30,000-45,000฿ | 40,000-60,000฿ | 50,000-80,000฿ |
| 3-Bed Pool Villa | 45,000-70,000฿ | 60,000-100,000฿ | 80,000-150,000฿ |
Utilities
- Electricity: 3,000-8,000฿ (AC usage dependent)
- Water: 300-800฿
- Internet: 800-1,500฿ (fiber optic)
- Mobile: 300-600฿ (unlimited data)
Food & Groceries
Eating Out
| Option | Average Meal Price |
|---|---|
| Local Thai restaurant | 80-150฿ |
| Mid-range restaurant | 200-400฿ |
| Western restaurant | 400-800฿ |
| Beach club dinner | 800-1,500฿ |
Groceries (Weekly)
| Item | Local Market | Import Supermarket |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (1kg) | 30฿ | 60฿ |
| Chicken (1kg) | 80฿ | 150฿ |
| Milk (1L) | 90฿ | 120฿ |
| Bread | 40฿ | 100฿ |
| Eggs (12) | 60฿ | 90฿ |
Transportation Costs
Private Vehicles
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Scooter rental | 3,000-5,000฿/month |
| Car rental | 15,000-25,000฿/month |
| Gasoline (1L) | 40฿ (95 octane) |
Public Transport
- Smart Bus: 50-100฿/ride
- Taxis: 200-500฿ short trips
- Bolt/InDrive: 30% cheaper than taxis
Education (International Schools)
- Primary: 250,000-900,000฿/year
- Secondary: 350,000-600,000฿/year
- Registration fees: 50,000-200,000฿ (one-time)
Healthcare
- Insurance: 15,000-50,000฿/year
- Doctor visit: 800-2,000฿
- Dental cleaning: 1,500-3,000฿
Entertainment & Leisure
- Gym membership: 1,500-3,000฿/month
- Cinema ticket: 200-350฿
- Beach club day pass: 1,000-2,000฿
- Golf (18 holes): 3,000-6,000฿
2025 Price Changes to Note
- 15% increase in electricity rates
- New 5% tourism tax on hotel-style rentals
- 10-20% higher import food prices
- Reduced public transport subsidies
Money-Saving Tips
- Shop at Makro/Tesco Lotus instead of Villa Market
- Use PEA app to monitor electricity usage
- Negotiate long-term rental discounts
- Eat where locals eat (avoid tourist areas)
- Buy secondhand scooters via Facebook groups
Cost Comparison: Phuket vs. Thailand
| Expense | Phuket Premium | Bangkok | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Apartment | +40% | Baseline | -30% |
| Western Meal | +25% | Baseline | -40% |
| Taxi Ride | +50% | Baseline | -60% |
- Phuket averages 20-30% higher costs than mainland Thailand