City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Riyadh — 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.
Riyadh
Moderate
COL+Rent: 31.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo covers essentials with some leisure in Riyadh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Riyadh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $628 | +$5 |
| Groceries | $479 | $408 | +$71 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $219 | $119 |
| Transportation | $52 | $43 | +$9 |
| Utilities | $140 | $108 | +$32 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $94 | +$2 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Riyadh equivalent
$2,124
per month
You'd need $2,124/mo in Riyadh 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 Riyadh on $1,500/month?
In Riyadh, $1,500/mo is rated "Moderate". Allocations: $628 rent, $408 groceries, $219 dining.
Is Phuket or Riyadh cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Riyadh 31.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Riyadh?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$2,124/mo in Riyadh using COL adjustment.