City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Edinburgh vs Phuket — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $732 | $633 | +$99 |
| Groceries | $249 | $479 | $230 |
| Dining Out | $191 | $100 | +$91 |
| Transportation | $66 | $52 | +$14 |
| Utilities | $152 | $140 | +$12 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $96 | +$14 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$1,500
per month
Phuket equivalent
$823
per month
Only $823/mo in Phuket matches $1,500/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$732 to rent, $249 to groceries, $191 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 Edinburgh or Phuket cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Edinburgh worth in Phuket?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$823/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.