Is Koh Samui or Phuket cheaper to live in?

Phuket is 17% cheaper than Koh Samui. The average monthly cost in Phuket is $1,094, while Koh Samui costs $1,325 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Koh Samui or Phuket?

For digital nomads, Phuket offers faster internet at 300 Mbps. Phuket is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Koh Samui has a NomadIQ score of 7.5/10 while Phuket scores 7.9/10.

What is the rent difference between Koh Samui and Phuket?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $846/month in Koh Samui and $661/month in Phuket. Phuket has 22% lower rent.

Is Koh Samui or Phuket safer?

Koh Samui has a higher safety score of 7.4/10. Koh Samui scores 7.4/10 for safety while Phuket scores 6/10.

Should I move to Koh Samui or Phuket as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Phuket if budget is important ($1,094/month). Choose Koh Samui for better safety. Phuket is better for remote work with 300 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Koh Samui vs Phuket

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Koh Samui

Thailand

$1,325/mo7.5/10

Phuket

Thailand

$1,094/mo7.9/10

Koh Samui

Thailand

$1,325/moNomadIQ 7.5/10

Phuket

Thailand

$1,094/moNomadIQ 7.9/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Koh Samui

Phuket

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,325

$1,094

Phuket

Rent (1BR)

$846

$661

Phuket

Groceries

$280

$272

Phuket

Transport

$60

$23

Phuket

Healthcare

$120

Tie

Safety Score

7.4/10

6/10

Koh Samui

Internet Speed

95 Mbps

300 Mbps

Phuket

NomadIQ Score

7.5/10

7.9/10

Phuket

Overall Winner: Phuket

Based on our comparison, Phuket wins 6 out of 8 categories.Koh Samui wins 1 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Koh Samui and Phuket, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Phuket

$1,094/mo

Best Internet

Phuket

300 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Phuket

7.9/10

Our Recommendation: Phuket is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Koh Samui vs Phuket

When comparing Koh Samui and Phuket for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Phuket is the more budget-friendly option at $1,094/month versus Koh Samui's $1,325/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Phuket provides faster connectivity at 300 Mbps compared to Koh Samui's 95 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 7.4/10, Koh Samui provides a more secure environment than Phuket (6/10).

Overall: Phuket's NomadIQ score of 7.9/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.

Cost of Living Comparison

Phuket is 17% cheaper than Koh Samui.

• Koh Samui rent: $846/mo
• Phuket rent: $661/mo
• Difference: $185/mo

Safety Comparison

Koh Samui has a higher safety score (7.4/10) compared to Phuket (6/10).

7.4/10

Koh Samui

6/10

Phuket

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Phuket offers faster internet at 300 Mbps vs 95 Mbps.

95 Mbps

Koh Samui

300 Mbps

Phuket

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Phuket edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 6 of 8 comparison factors.

Koh Samui: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Phuket: Best for budget-conscious expats

Koh Samui vs Phuket

Koh Samui

Phuket

Koh Samui

Phuket

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Phuket

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Koh Samui vs Phuket

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Koh Samui vs Phuket