Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket
Phuket comes out ahead overall, winning 2 of 7 criteria.
Summary
Phuket edges out Denpasar (Bali) overall (6.1 vs 6.0), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like public transport — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket tie on this (6/10 each).
Climate: Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket tie on this (8/10 each).
Overall, Phuket scores higher (6.1/10 vs 6.0/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: Denpasar (Bali) (8/10 vs 7/10).
Phuket — Phuket scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (5.8 vs 6.0 for Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket), driven largely by safety.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Cost of living: slightly better than Phuket (8.0 vs 7.0)
- +Public transport: slightly better than Denpasar (Bali) (4.0 vs 3.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Denpasar (Bali) (6.0 vs 5.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Phuket scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (5.8 vs 6.0 for Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket), driven largely by safety.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Phuket scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (5.7 vs 5.9 for Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket), driven largely by safety.
Phuket scores higher once we weight toward retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed (6.0 vs 6.2 for Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket), driven largely by climate.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Phuket scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (5.8 vs 6.0 for Denpasar (Bali) vs Phuket), driven largely by safety.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Denpasar (Bali) and Phuket score within a rounding error of each other for early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Which city should you choose?
Pick Phuket instead if you're more of a young family, safety-first mover, or retiree.