Funchal vs Phuket: cost of living for digital nomads
Funchal, Portugal and Phuket, Thailand, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Phuket is about 15% cheaper than Funchal for a month of nomad living ($1,450 vs $1,700).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $600 in Phuket against $850 in Funchal.
- Funchal scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Phuket: 180 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Funchal is mediterranean; Phuket is tropical.
Funchal wins 2 of the measured lines; Phuket wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Funchal or Phuket?
Phuket is cheaper: about $1,450/month against $1,700/month in Funchal, roughly 15% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Funchal or Phuket?
Funchal scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for Phuket.
Which has faster internet, Funchal or Phuket?
Phuket has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Funchal.
| Line | Funchal | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,700 | $1,450 |
| Rent | $850 | $600 |
| Food | $430 | $380 |
| Transport | $40 | $70 |
| Coworking | $120 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 180 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | mid | mid |
| Setting | island | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Funchal
Madeira's capital and home of the original Digital Nomad Village — safe, scenic, EU-based.
Compare Funchal with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Funchal November 9, 2026, Phuket September 10, 2026.