City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Davao vs Phuket — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Davao
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 14 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Davao.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Davao | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $482 | $633 | $151 |
| Groceries | $548 | $479 | +$69 |
| Dining Out | $165 | $100 | +$65 |
| Transportation | $27 | $52 | $25 |
| Utilities | $206 | $140 | +$66 |
| Other / Misc | $72 | $96 | $24 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Davao
$1,500
per month
Phuket equivalent
$2,368
per month
You'd need $2,368/mo in Phuket to match $1,500/mo in Davao.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Davao on $1,500/month?
Living in Davao on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$482 to rent, $548 to groceries, $165 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 Davao or Phuket cheaper?
Davao is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Davao 14 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Davao worth in Phuket?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Davao equals ~$2,368/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.