City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Hanoi — 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.
Hanoi
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 18 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Hanoi.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $701 | $68 |
| Groceries | $479 | $462 | +$17 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $93 | +$7 |
| Transportation | $52 | $15 | +$37 |
| Utilities | $140 | $124 | +$16 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $105 | $9 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Hanoi equivalent
$1,222
per month
Only $1,222/mo in Hanoi 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 Hanoi on $1,500/month?
In Hanoi, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $701 rent, $462 groceries, $93 dining.
Is Phuket or Hanoi cheaper?
Hanoi is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Hanoi 18 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Hanoi?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,222/mo in Hanoi using COL adjustment.