City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,110 | $2,441 | $331 |
| Groceries | $1,597 | $830 | +$767 |
| Dining Out | $335 | $636 | $301 |
| Transportation | $174 | $221 | $47 |
| Utilities | $467 | $506 | $39 |
| Other / Misc | $317 | $366 | $49 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$5,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$9,118
per month
You'd need $9,118/mo in Edinburgh to match $5,000/mo in Phuket.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $5,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,110 to rent, $1,597 to groceries, $335 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,441 rent, $830 groceries, $636 dining.
Is Phuket or Edinburgh cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Phuket worth in Edinburgh?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$9,118/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.