Is Rawai Expensive?

Phuket, Thailand

-8% vs Phuket avg

Living in Rawai, Phuket

Rawai is a relatively affordable area in Phuket, with a cost of living index of 28.1 — that is -8% compared to the Phuket average. At #11 of 18, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around ฿14,256/month, compared to a range of ฿12,087 in Thalang to ฿18,905 in Patong.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Rawai, housing takes up roughly 27% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 20%, while transportation costs around 11%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately ฿570,248 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Rawai

Salaries in Rawai reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 28.1:

After tax and deductions of 9.1% in Thailand, take-home pay for someone earning ฿570,248 would be roughly ฿518,355/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

28.1
COLI Index
0.92x
vs City Avg
฿14,256
Est. 1BR Rent
#11
of 18 Areas
9.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Rawai

Estimated annual deductions on a ฿653,150 salary in Rawai, Phuket (local employee).

Income Tax
8%
Social Security
1.4%
Total Deductions: 9.1%
Est. Take-Home: ฿593,678/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Rawai would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $21,075
London GBP £18,137
Dubai AED AED 105,455

Other Neighborhoods in Phuket

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Patong 37.2 1.22x +22%
Surin 36.6 1.20x +20%
Bang Tao 36.0 1.18x +18%
Kamala 35.1 1.15x +15%
Kata Noi 35.1 1.15x +15%

View all 18 neighborhoods in Phuket →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Rawai, Phuket to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Rawai:

Montes de Oca, San José (CR) Greenhills, Manila Halandri, Athens Trstenik, Split Pazdigrad, Split Peñalolén, Santiago

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rawai expensive in Phuket?

Rawai is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Phuket. It costs about -8% less than the city average, ranking #11 out of 18 neighborhoods.

How does Rawai compare to the Phuket average?

The cost of living in Rawai is below the Phuket average. With a multiplier of 0.92x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -8% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.