Hong Kong vs Phuket for a high earner: tax, residence, cost, and life compared

	Hong Kong	Phuket
Effective tax at $300K	16%	30%
Effective tax at $1M	16%	34%
Effective tax at $3M	16%	35%
Kept at $1M	$840K	$665K
Capital gains	0%	35%
Cost index (Zurich 100)	102	50
Safety	9/10	6/10
Schools	9/10	6/10
Sun hours	1,830	2,700
Supercar street index	#13	#80
Routes in	Golden visa, Founder & talent	Golden visa, Remote work visa
Net millionaire inflow 2025 (country, Henley)	n/a	n/a
Flight London	12.7	13
Flight New York	16.7	18.6

Simplified marginal model, indicative 2026 brackets, non-US single filer, no social contributions, deductions, wealth taxes, or treaties.

Verdicts

Who should pick which.

For an executive on salary

Hong Kong keeps more of a $1M salary, $175K a year on this model. Phuket answers with the life itself.

For a founder with an exit

Capital gains: Hong Kong 0%, Phuket 35%. The order of operations, move then sell or sell then move, decides more than the rate. Neither city taxes wealth as such.

For a family

Hong Kong leads on schools and safety, Phuket on a lower cost and sun.

Hong KongThe full page PhuketThe full page Rank both on my numbersThe engine, 90 seconds

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Tax figures use a simplified marginal model with indicative 2026 brackets for a non-US single filer, ignore social contributions, most deductions, wealth taxes, and treaties, and are not advice. Residence rules change often. Verify before acting.