Renting for a year in Phuket costs very different amounts depending on where you live, how old the building is and how the electricity is billed. This guide collects the 2026 price ranges published by the island's larger rental portals and agencies, explains the usual lease terms, and lists the questions worth asking before you sign. Prices are monthly, in Thai baht, for unfurnished-to-furnished long-term leases; holiday rentals are priced differently and are not covered here.
Monthly rent by area
Across the island, a one-bedroom condo on a long lease typically rents for 12,000–35,000 THB per month, and studios in Kathu or Phuket Town start at around 8,000–12,000 THB, according to the 2026 budget breakdown published by SuperAgent. The area ranges below come from Baanlyy's Phuket rental market overview:
- Phuket Town and Kathu: one-bedroom condos 10,000–18,000 THB, two-bedroom condos 16,000–28,000 THB, three-bedroom pool villas 30,000–60,000 THB. This is the cheapest part of the island, close to schools, hospitals and government offices, but 20–30 minutes from the west-coast beaches.
- Rawai and Nai Harn: one-bedroom condos 14,000–25,000 THB, two-bedroom condos 22,000–45,000 THB, three-bedroom pool villas 45,000–110,000 THB. The south of the island is quieter than Patong and popular with people staying for months rather than weeks.
- Chalong: next to Rawai in the south; detached houses and villas vary widely in price, so compare several current listings on portals such as FazWaz before negotiating.
- Kata and Karon: beach-side areas on the west coast. Long-term houses exist but are fewer than in the south; on Tukitini, for example, a 5-room house in Karon is listed at 35,000 THB per month.
Building age matters as much as location. A 2010-era condo in Kathu and a new resort-style development in Rawai can differ by more than 10,000 THB a month for the same floor area, so compare the price per square metre rather than the headline rent. A studio such as The Palm Residence, 35 sqm gives a useful reference point for what a small sea-view unit looks like.
Lease terms you should expect
Long-term leases in Phuket typically run for 6 or 12 months, and 12-month leases get the better rates. The usual terms are a security deposit of two months' rent plus one month paid in advance on signing (Baanlyy). That means moving into a 20,000 THB condo usually needs about 60,000 THB up front.
Before paying a deposit, ask for a written inventory of furniture and appliances with photos, and agree in writing how and when the deposit is returned. Both Phuket Expat Guide and ExpatDen cover the practical steps of renting long term on the island.
A worked budget example
Using the ranges above, here is what a first month looks like for a mid-range one-bedroom condo in Kathu at 14,000 THB a month, inside the 10,000–18,000 THB band for that area:
- Security deposit (two months): 28,000 THB
- First month's rent paid in advance: 14,000 THB
- Electricity for the first month: 1,500–3,500 THB, depending on air-conditioning use (SuperAgent's estimate)
That is roughly 43,500–45,500 THB in the first month, of which 28,000 THB should come back to you at the end of the lease if the unit is returned in the condition recorded at move-in. The same calculation for a 20,000 THB one-bedroom in Rawai gives about 61,500–63,500 THB.
Electricity: the cost most people underestimate
The provincial electricity rate is roughly 4–5 THB per unit, but some buildings charge tenants 8 THB per unit, which adds up over a year (SuperAgent). Estimates of the monthly bill for an air-conditioned condo range from 1,500–3,500 THB (SuperAgent) to 3,000–6,000 THB (Phuket Expat Guide), depending on how much you run the air conditioning.
Two questions settle this before you sign:
- What is the electricity rate per unit? If it is above 5 THB, negotiate or keep looking.
- Is the meter registered directly with PEA, or is power supplied through the landlord's account? A direct PEA meter means you pay the official tariff.
Water is usually billed per unit too (often a flat monthly fee in condos), and internet is either included or costs a few hundred baht a month with a local provider.
Where to look
The large portals (FazWaz, Thailand-Property, PropertyHub) carry thousands of Phuket listings, mostly from agents, and the same unit can appear more than once. Direct listings from owners take more effort to find but let you negotiate with the person who sets the price. On Tukitini you can browse real listings in Phuket posted by owners and local businesses, and owners can post a rental for free.
Renting before buying
Many people who later buy in Phuket rent for 6–12 months first, to learn which area suits them and how traffic, flooding and noise change between seasons. If you are weighing the two options, our guide on renting vs buying property in Thailand covers ownership rules for foreigners and the costs involved.
Checklist before signing
- Compare price per square metre, not just the monthly rent.
- Confirm the deposit amount (usually 2 months) and the return conditions in writing.
- Ask for the electricity rate per kWh and whether the meter is in PEA's name.
- Get a dated photo inventory signed by both sides.
- Check the commute at rush hour, especially between Chalong circle and Phuket Town.
- Ask how utilities, internet and building fees are billed, and get the answer in the contract.
Figures in this guide were checked against the sources linked above in October 2026. Rents move with demand, so treat them as ranges and confirm current prices with each owner.