City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Phuket vs Stockholm — 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.
Stockholm
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 51 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo may not cover basic costs in Stockholm.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Phuket | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $633 | $872 | $239 |
| Groceries | $479 | $228 | +$251 |
| Dining Out | $100 | $137 | $37 |
| Transportation | $52 | $63 | $11 |
| Utilities | $140 | $69 | +$71 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $131 | $35 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Phuket
$1,500
per month
Stockholm equivalent
$3,462
per month
You'd need $3,462/mo in Stockholm 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 Stockholm on $1,500/month?
In Stockholm, $1,500/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $872 rent, $228 groceries, $137 dining.
Is Phuket or Stockholm cheaper?
Phuket is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Phuket 22.1 vs Stockholm 51 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Phuket worth in Stockholm?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Phuket equals ~$3,462/mo in Stockholm using COL adjustment.