Manila vs Phuket: cost of living for digital nomads
Manila, Philippines 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
- Manila is about 10% cheaper than Phuket for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,450).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $560 in Manila against $600 in Phuket.
- Phuket scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Phuket: 180 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Manila wins 4 of the measured lines; Phuket wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Phuket?
Manila is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,450/month in Phuket, roughly 10% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Phuket?
Phuket scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Manila.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Phuket?
Phuket has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Manila.
| Line | Manila | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,450 |
| Rent | $560 | $600 |
| Food | $350 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $70 |
| Coworking | $120 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 180 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Manila 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): Manila November 9, 2026, Phuket September 10, 2026.