How much does expat life cost in Phuket?

Dreaming of moving to Phuket? It’s entirely achievable. Although prices on the island have risen significantly over the past 10 years, the number of people wanting to relocate here permanently continues to grow. According to various sources, between 40,000 and 100,000 foreigners legally reside on the island on a permanent basis.

We decided to calculate how much it costs to live as an expat in Phuket. Of course, all figures are approximate — you can live quite modestly or enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Below, we’ll outline the main expense categories you should be prepared for in Phuket.

Visa

Tourists can take advantage of the visa-free regime for up to 60 days, but if you plan to stay in Thailand long-term, you’ll need to sort out your visa. The cost depends on the visa type, but on average, an education visa (ED visa) for one person will cost around 50,000 THB (approximately $1,400) per year. A work visa plus dependent visas for a spouse and two children will cost around 100,000–120,000 THB (approximately $3,200). You can learn more about different types of visas in the Visas & Border Runs section of our website. There, you can also apply through trusted companies recommended by Phuket Insider.

Housing Rental

This is usually the biggest expense. Rental prices in Phuket vary greatly depending on the type of property, its quality, location, length of the lease, and the season (if it’s not an annual contract).

Let’s break down the most common housing scenarios:

Apartment/Condo Rentals

• For individuals or couples: typically 1-bedroom apartments.
• For families with children: usually 2–3-bedroom apartments or villas.

Approximate monthly prices for long-term (1-year) contracts:

• Economy: Basic renovation, far from the beach. Pool may be available, but usually small (depends on the complex). Average: 8,000–20,000 THB/month
• Comfort: Better renovation, more spacious. Good facilities and infrastructure. Average: 20,000–50,000 THB/month
• Premium: Designer finishes, full infrastructure, often includes cleaning and other services. Typically near the beach or desirable areas. Average: 50,000–100,000 THB/month

Short-term rentals (1–3 months):

• Low season (May–October): roughly the same as annual rates.
• High season (November–April): multiply prices by 2x in November, March, and April; by 3x in December, January, and February.

House and Villa Rentals

Mostly chosen by families. Prices depend on size, renovation quality, location, and whether there’s a private pool (that’s typically what distinguishes a house from a villa).

Annual contract prices:

• Economy villas or mid-range houses: 30,000–50,000 THB/month
• Comfort-class villas or large homes in good areas: 60,000–100,000 THB/month
• Premium-class villas: from 150,000 THB/month

If there’s a sea view, expect a higher price.

Short-term villa rentals: like apartments, expect prices to increase 2–3x.

Location Tips

Phuket is divided into several zones:

• Elite & expensive: Bang Tao, Surin
• Tourist-heavy with good infrastructure: Kata, Karon, Patong
• Inland and less expensive: Kathu, Phuket Town
• Remote/quiet: Panwa, Mai Khao
• Popular with expats & long-term visitors: Nai Harn, Kamala, Rawai, Chalong

More on each area: https://phuket-insider.com/en/blog/14-popular-districts-of-phuket-how-to-choose/

Security Deposit

It’s customary to pay a deposit when moving in — typically equal to 1–2 months’ rent for annual contracts. For short-term rentals (1–3 months), a small negotiated deposit is usually required.

Utilities

Electricity in Thailand is relatively expensive, especially with high usage due to air conditioning. On average:

• Small apartments: 2,000–4,000 THB/month
• Large villas: up to 15,000–20,000 THB/month

Usage matters — if you only use AC during the day, it’s cheaper; 24/7 use significantly increases the bill.

Mobile and Internet

A minor expense. A SIM card with mobile internet costs from 400 THB/month. Unlimited plans cost a bit more.

Transportation

Having personal transport in Phuket is almost essential. The island is large, and locations are spread out. Walking in the heat isn’t safe or pleasant, and using taxis all the time gets very expensive.

Monthly rental costs:

• Scooter: 5,000–10,000 THB
• Motorcycle: 10,000–15,000 THB
• Compact car: 10,000–18,000 THB
• Crossover: 15,000–25,000 THB
• SUV/7-seater: 30,000–50,000 THB
• Luxury car: 70,000–100,000 THB

We recommend using trusted Phuket Insider partners for rentals:

• Car rentals: https://phuket-insider.com/en/car-rental/
• Bike rentals: https://phuket-insider.com/en/bike-rental/

After you submit a request on these pages, you’ll receive offers from three of the top companies, ensuring you find exactly what you need.

Groceries

Basic food prices in Thailand are quite affordable. Chicken, fish, eggs, seafood, fruits, and vegetables are inexpensive. On average:

• Eggs – 60–80 THB for 10
• Chicken breast – 100–150 THB per kg
• Fish (tuna) – 250–350 THB per kg
• Bread – 30–50 THB per pack
• Milk – 40–50 THB per liter
• Pork – 150–200 THB per kg
• Fruits – 30–100 THB per kg
• Vegetables – 30–100 THB per kg
• Beer – 40–80 THB per bottle
• Wine – from 300 THB per bottle
• Cigarettes – 60–150 THB per pack

Cafes and Restaurants

Phuket offers a wide variety of places to eat for every taste and budget. Prices can vary a lot, but generally, dining at decent cafés isn’t extremely cheap.

• A meal at a simple street cafe: 50–150 THB per person
• At small restaurants or cozy European-style cafes: 250–700 THB
• High-end restaurants: from 1,000 THB

You can eat cheaply at night markets or splurge at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Check out our Cafes and Restaurants section for a curated list of recommended places, sorted by category.

Healthcare

Thailand has a good standard of healthcare and is considered one of the best countries for quality-to-cost ratio. However, Phuket is a bit of a different case. Some hospitals and clinics here are quite expensive for foreigners, especially inpatient care.

• A general doctor’s visit: from 1,500 THB
• A pack of antibiotics: 1,000–2,000 THB
• Inpatient treatment (e.g., after a motorbike accident or emergency surgery): typically 100,000–300,000 THB or more, depending on duration and complexity

Whether or not to buy insurance is your choice, but we strongly recommend having it — especially if you plan to ride a motorbike.

You can apply for health insurance directly through our website.

If you plan to pay out of pocket, we recommend bookmarking this guide to Phuket’s best hospitals: https://phuket-insider.com/en/category/hospitals/

Entertainment

This category is highly personal and varies widely. On average, budgeting 5,000 THB/month per person for 1–2 activities per month is reasonable.

Phuket offers a wide range of entertainment options: Excursions, Diving, Fishing, Waterparks, and more. Browse them in our Entertainment section.

Clothing

This is where you can really save. While clothing needs vary by individual, most people don’t need much on a tropical island: a few pairs of shorts, T-shirts, sandals, swimwear, and a hat are enough. You won’t need coats or boots. In low season, a rain jacket, pants, and possibly a hoodie may come in handy — but even those are optional.

Education

If you have children, this becomes one of your major expenses. Phuket has many international schools, but they tend to be costly.

School: around 15,000–25,000 THB/month

Kindergarten: around 14,000–20,000 THB/month

Summary

The total cost of living in Phuket depends primarily on your housing choice, transportation, whether you have children, and your lifestyle preferences for food and entertainment.

Here’s a rough breakdown per person:

• Economy: 25,000–35,000 THB/month
  Budget apartment, personal car or bike rental, mostly home cooking or eating at local Thai street cafes.
• Comfort: 40,000–60,000 THB/month
  Apartment for singles, comfortable villa or house for families. Balanced entertainment and dining out.
• Premium: 100,000+ THB/month
  Luxury housing, car rental, private schools, frequent dining and activities.

If you’re seriously considering a move to Phuket, make sure to check out our Telegram bot: https://t.me/phuket_insider_bot It has everything you need to navigate life on the island.