City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Hyderabad — 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.
Hyderabad
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 18.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Hyderabad.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Hyderabad | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $753 | $120 |
| Groceries | $479 | $314 | +$165 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $188 | $88 |
| Transportation | $52 | $35 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $140 | $97 | +$43 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $113 | $17 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Hyderabad equivalent
$1,276
per month
Only $1,276/mo in Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad on $1,500/month?
In Hyderabad, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $753 rent, $314 groceries, $188 dining.
Is Phuket or Hyderabad cheaper?
Hyderabad is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Hyderabad 18.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Hyderabad?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,276/mo in Hyderabad using COL adjustment.