City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Phuket vs Malmö — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Phuket
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Phuket.
Malmö
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 35.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Malmö.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,110 | $2,514 | $404 |
| Groceries | $1,597 | $969 | +$628 |
| Dining Out | $335 | $581 | $246 |
| Transportation | $174 | $264 | $90 |
| Utilities | $467 | $294 | +$173 |
| Other / Misc | $317 | $378 | $61 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$5,000
per month
Malmö equivalent
$7,941
per month
You'd need $7,941/mo in Malmö to match $5,000/mo in Phuket.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Phuket on $5,000/month?
Living in Phuket on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,110 to rent, $1,597 to groceries, $335 to dining.
Can I live in Malmö on $5,000/month?
In Malmö, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,514 rent, $969 groceries, $581 dining.
Is Phuket or Malmö cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Malmö 35.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Phuket worth in Malmö?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$7,941/mo in Malmö using COL adjustment.