Phuket vs Krabi: Andaman Coast Comparison

Compare developed Phuket with laid-back Krabi. Perfect guide for choosing your Andaman coast home.

August 20258 min readPhuket & Krabi

Quick Summary

Krabi is approximately 20-25% cheaper than Phuket for most expats. Each city offers unique advantages - Phuket is known for world-famous beaches, while Krabi offers stunning limestone cliffs. Your choice depends on lifestyle preferences and budget priorities.

Cost Comparison

🏖️ Phuket

Studio Apartment฿15,000-25,000

1-Bedroom฿25,000-40,000

Street Food Meal฿60-100

Restaurant Meal฿200-400

Monthly Transport฿3,500-5,000

Gym Membership฿2,000-3,500

Utilities฿2,500-4,000

Internet (Fiber)฿700-1,000

🏖️ Krabi (Better Value)

Studio Apartment฿10,000-15,000

1-Bedroom฿15,000-25,000

Street Food Meal฿50-80

Restaurant Meal฿150-300

Monthly Transport฿3,000-4,500

Gym Membership฿1,500-2,000

Utilities฿2,000-3,000

Internet (Fiber)฿600-800

💰 Winner: Krabi

Krabi offers better value for money, with living costs approximately 20-25% lower than Phuket for a similar lifestyle.

Lifestyle Comparison

🏖️ Phuket Advantages

• World-famous beaches
• International airport with direct flights
• Luxury resorts and amenities
• Excellent marina facilities
• Water sports and diving paradise
• Vibrant expat community
• High-end shopping and dining
• Island hopping opportunities

🏖️ Krabi Advantages

• Stunning limestone cliffs
• World-class rock climbing
• Access to pristine islands
• Less touristy than Phuket
• Beautiful beaches and nature
• Relaxed pace of life
• Excellent seafood
• Adventure sports hub

Monthly Budget Estimates

Budget Living

Phuket: ฿40,000-50,000/month
Krabi: ฿30,000-35,000/month

Comfortable Living

Phuket: ฿70,000-90,000/month
Krabi: ฿45,000-60,000/month

Luxury Living

Phuket: ฿120,000+/month
Krabi: ฿80,000+/month

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Phuket If You:

• Value world-famous beaches
• Prefer luxury resorts and amenities
• Want water sports and diving paradise
• Need vibrant expat community
• Enjoy high-end shopping and dining

Choose Krabi If You:

• Value stunning limestone cliffs
• Prefer access to pristine islands
• Want beautiful beaches and nature
• Need relaxed pace of life
• Enjoy excellent seafood

Final Verdict

Both Phuket and Krabi offer unique experiences for expats in Thailand.Krabi comes out ahead in terms of cost-effectiveness, offering savings of 20-25%while still providing an excellent quality of life. However, Phuketmay be worth the extra cost if you prioritize world-famous beaches.

Consider visiting both locations before making a long-term commitment. Many expats split their time between multiple Thai cities to enjoy the best of what each has to offer throughout the year.

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Phuket City Guide

Krabi City Guide

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