Phuket vs Puerto Escondido: cost of living for digital nomads
Phuket, Thailand and Puerto Escondido, Mexico, 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 and Puerto Escondido cost about the same per month ($1,450).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $600 in Phuket against $650 in Puerto Escondido.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Phuket: 180 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Phuket wins 3 of the measured lines; Puerto Escondido wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Phuket or Puerto Escondido?
Phuket and Puerto Escondido cost about the same per month for a remote worker, both around $1,450.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Puerto Escondido?
Phuket and Puerto Escondido score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Phuket or Puerto Escondido?
Phuket has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Puerto Escondido.
| Line | Phuket | Puerto Escondido |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Rent | $600 | $650 |
| Food | $380 | $400 |
| Transport | $70 | $45 |
| Coworking | $120 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 50 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Puerto Escondido
Pacific surf town in Oaxaca — a quieter, cheaper alternative to Tulum with a strong nomad following.
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): Phuket September 10, 2026, Puerto Escondido August 30, 2026.