City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Bali — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Bali
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 16 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Bali.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Bali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $692 | $59 |
| Groceries | $479 | $470 | +$9 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $99 | +$1 |
| Transportation | $52 | $28 | +$24 |
| Utilities | $140 | $108 | +$32 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $103 | $7 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Bali equivalent
$1,086
per month
Only $1,086/mo in Bali matches $1,500/mo in Phuket — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $1,500/month?
Living in Phuket on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$633 to rent, $479 to groceries, $100 to dining.
Can I live in Bali on $1,500/month?
In Bali, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $692 rent, $470 groceries, $99 dining.
Is Phuket or Bali cheaper?
Bali is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Bali 16 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Bali?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,086/mo in Bali using COL adjustment.