City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $2,000/month?
Phuket vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Edinburgh
Moderate
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$2,000/mo covers essentials with some leisure in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $844 | $976 | $132 |
| Groceries | $639 | $332 | +$307 |
| Dining Out | $134 | $254 | $120 |
| Transportation | $70 | $88 | $18 |
| Utilities | $187 | $203 | $16 |
| Other / Misc | $126 | $147 | $21 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$2,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$3,647
per month
You'd need $3,647/mo in Edinburgh to match $2,000/mo in Phuket.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $2,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $2,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$844 to rent, $639 to groceries, $134 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $2,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $2,000/mo is rated "Moderate". Allocations: $976 rent, $332 groceries, $254 dining.
Is Phuket or Edinburgh cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $2,000/mo in Phuket worth in Edinburgh?
$2,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$3,647/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.