City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Lyon — 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.
Lyon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $744 | $111 |
| Groceries | $479 | $283 | +$196 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $168 | $68 |
| Transportation | $52 | $59 | $7 |
| Utilities | $140 | $136 | +$4 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $110 | $14 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Lyon equivalent
$2,735
per month
You'd need $2,735/mo in Lyon 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 Lyon on $1,500/month?
In Lyon, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $744 rent, $283 groceries, $168 dining.
Is Phuket or Lyon cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Lyon?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$2,735/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.