City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Heraklion — 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.
Heraklion
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 26.4 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Heraklion.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Heraklion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $461 | +$172 |
| Groceries | $479 | $412 | +$67 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $307 | $207 |
| Transportation | $52 | $40 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $140 | $211 | $71 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $69 | +$27 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Heraklion equivalent
$1,792
per month
You'd need $1,792/mo in Heraklion to match $1,500/mo in Phuket.
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 Heraklion on $1,500/month?
In Heraklion, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $461 rent, $412 groceries, $307 dining.
Is Phuket or Heraklion cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Heraklion 26.4 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Heraklion?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,792/mo in Heraklion using COL adjustment.