Phuket Cost of Living for One Month: A Realistic Budget
Rent, food, transport and work costs for one month in Phuket, with three realistic budgets for remote workers.
The cost of a month in Phuket depends on two things above all: the season and the place you rent. Food and transport are affordable everywhere on the island; rent is what moves your budget.
Rent: the biggest line
A furnished studio in Rawai costs from 14,000 ฿ per month in low season (April–October) and up to 35,000 ฿ in high season (December–February). A one-bedroom condo in Karon, 700 m from the beach, costs from 30,000 ฿ to 55,000 ฿.
Watch the electricity: many monthly rentals bill it separately at a rate above the public tariff, and air conditioning running all day can add several thousand baht. Our monthly prices include electricity, water and WiFi.
Everyday costs (estimates)
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Thai meal in a local restaurant | 60–120 ฿ |
| Western meal in Rawai or Karon | 250–450 ฿ |
| Coffee in a café | 70–120 ฿ |
| Groceries for one person, per month | 6,000–12,000 ฿ |
| Automatic scooter rental, per month | 3,000–5,000 ฿ |
| Fuel for a month of local trips | 500–900 ฿ |
| Prepaid SIM with large data, per month | 500–1,000 ฿ |
| Gym membership, per month | 1,500–3,000 ฿ |
| Coworking desk, per month | 3,000–6,000 ฿ |
| Laundry service, per kg | 40–60 ฿ |
Three monthly budgets for one person
Simple — about 35,000–45,000 ฿ in low season
A compact studio in Rawai, mostly Thai food, a scooter and a SIM card, working from the apartment.
Comfortable — about 55,000–75,000 ฿
A studio with a pool or a one-bedroom condo, a mix of Thai and Western restaurants, a gym and the occasional island trip.
High season — budget for a higher rent
With a Rawai studio at up to 35,000 ฿, the simple budget becomes roughly 45,000–55,000 ฿; with a Karon condo at up to 55,000 ฿, the comfortable budget is roughly 70,000–90,000 ฿ (estimates). From December to February rents rise and the best apartments are booked months ahead. Daily costs barely change; plan your budget around the rent for your exact dates — our booking form shows the full price before you send a request.
How to spend less
- Stay longer: our rates drop by 7 % from 84 nights, 12 % from 168 and 18 % from 336.
- Arrive in low or mid season, or straddle seasons — the price is calculated night by night.
- Choose Rawai over the west-coast beach towns.
- Book direct rather than through a platform to avoid service fees.
Ready to compare? See the available apartments or our guide on where to stay in Phuket for a month.
