City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Davao — 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.
Davao
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 14 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Davao.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Davao | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $482 | +$151 |
| Groceries | $479 | $548 | $69 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $165 | $65 |
| Transportation | $52 | $27 | +$25 |
| Utilities | $140 | $206 | $66 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $72 | +$24 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Davao equivalent
$950
per month
Only $950/mo in Davao 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 Davao on $1,500/month?
In Davao, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $482 rent, $548 groceries, $165 dining.
Is Phuket or Davao cheaper?
Davao is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Davao 14 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Davao?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$950/mo in Davao using COL adjustment.