City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Edinburgh vs Phuket — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,441 | $2,110 | +$331 |
| Groceries | $830 | $1,597 | $767 |
| Dining Out | $636 | $335 | +$301 |
| Transportation | $221 | $174 | +$47 |
| Utilities | $506 | $467 | +$39 |
| Other / Misc | $366 | $317 | +$49 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$5,000
per month
Phuket equivalent
$2,742
per month
Only $2,742/mo in Phuket matches $5,000/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,441 to rent, $830 to groceries, $636 to dining.
Can I live in Phuket on $5,000/month?
In Phuket, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,110 rent, $1,597 groceries, $335 dining.
Is Edinburgh or Phuket cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Phuket 22.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Edinburgh worth in Phuket?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$2,742/mo in Phuket using COL adjustment.