City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Cebu vs Phuket — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Cebu
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.5 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $511 | $633 | $122 |
| Groceries | $538 | $479 | +$59 |
| Dining Out | $149 | $100 | +$49 |
| Transportation | $25 | $52 | $27 |
| Utilities | $201 | $140 | +$61 |
| Other / Misc | $76 | $96 | $20 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$1,500
per month
Phuket equivalent
$2,139
per month
You'd need $2,139/mo in Phuket to match $1,500/mo in Cebu.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $1,500/month?
Living in Cebu on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$511 to rent, $538 to groceries, $149 to dining.
Can I live in Phuket on $1,500/month?
In Phuket, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $633 rent, $479 groceries, $100 dining.
Is Cebu or Phuket cheaper?
Cebu is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Cebu worth in Phuket?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$2,139/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.