Phuket vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Phuket is ~40% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Phuket | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $371 | $819 | $448 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $234 | $644 | $410 |
| Groceries | $229 | $271 | $42 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $14 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $25 | $75 | $50 |
| Utilities | $67 | $82 | $15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Phuket | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $502/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $752/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $913/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Phuket | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,511/mo | +$1,011 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,348/mo | +$1,348 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,023/mo | +$2,023 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Phuket vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Phuket is approximately 40% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Phuket's COL+Rent Index of 22.1 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Phuket costs $371/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Phuket a $448/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,376 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Phuket ($229/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Phuket's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $14 show Phuket is the better value for dining out. 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.