City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Medellín — 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.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $617 | +$16 |
| Groceries | $479 | $445 | +$34 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $189 | $89 |
| Transportation | $52 | $61 | $9 |
| Utilities | $140 | $97 | +$43 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $91 | +$5 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Medellín equivalent
$1,296
per month
Only $1,296/mo in Medellín 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 Medellín on $1,500/month?
In Medellín, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $617 rent, $445 groceries, $189 dining.
Is Phuket or Medellín cheaper?
Medellín is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Medellín?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$1,296/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.