Jeddah vs Phuket
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Phuket is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $371 | +$84 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $234 | +$86 |
| Groceries | $276 | $229 | +$47 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $4 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $25 | +$4 |
| Utilities | $73 | $67 | +$6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $502/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $752/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Phuket | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,228/mo | -$272 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,637/mo | -$363 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,456/mo | -$544 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Phuket for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Phuket is approximately 18% more affordable than Jeddah when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 vs Phuket's 22.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Jeddah costs $455/month versus $371/month in Phuket — giving Phuket a $84/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Phuket ($229/mo) reflect similar food costs, while restaurant meals at $12 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.