Vienna vs Phuket
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Phuket is ~60% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $371 | +$1,020 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $234 | +$834 |
| Groceries | $487 | $229 | +$258 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $4 | +$16 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $25 | +$37 |
| Utilities | $224 | $67 | +$157 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $502/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $752/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Phuket | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $599/mo | -$901 |
| $2,000/mo | $799/mo | -$1,201 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,199/mo | -$1,801 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Phuket for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Phuket is approximately 60% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Phuket's 22.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $371/month in Phuket — giving Phuket a $1,020/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,240 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Phuket ($229/mo) reflect Phuket's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $4 show Phuket offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Phuket offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $752 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.