Gothenburg vs Phuket
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Phuket is ~40% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $371 | +$448 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $234 | +$410 |
| Groceries | $271 | $229 | +$42 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $4 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $25 | +$50 |
| Utilities | $82 | $67 | +$15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $502/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $752/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Phuket | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $896/mo | -$604 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,195/mo | -$805 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,792/mo | -$1,208 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Phuket for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Phuket is approximately 40% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Phuket's 22.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $371/month in Phuket — giving Phuket a $448/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,376 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Phuket ($229/mo) reflect Phuket's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $4 show Phuket offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Phuket offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $752 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.