Thailand cost background
Thailand Cost of Living 2025

Plan your monthly budget

See your costs, adjust fast, move smarter.

Money questions come first: What will month two really cost? Do we need two bedrooms? Chiang Mai or central Bangkok? Use the ranges to get your bearings, then make it yours with the calculator. Pick your city, bedrooms, and lifestyle. Toggle school and insurance. See where your money goes — and what to change to make it fit.

Cost of living visual

Cost of Living Calculator

See a simple monthly budget. Pick who you are, where you plan to live, bedrooms and a lifestyle level. Turn on or off school, insurance or coworking. Then scroll the numbers. Click below to load it.

  • Change lifestyle to see spending rise or fall.
  • Compare cities and see which fits your budget.
  • School and bigger homes raise costs fast.
  • Numbers are estimates, not advice.
Loads when you click. Simple.
Comparison

Compare cost of living between cities and countries

Pick two cities or countries to see side‑by‑side monthly estimates with key drivers like rent, schooling and lifestyle tiers. Coming soon.

Cities Countries

Voorvertoning: vs

Cost comparison visual (coming soon)
Quick take

Top drivers:

Baseline: Thailand · Index scaled mock basket.

Indicative monthly basket

vs — scaled by country index. Values in THB.

Category Diff
Total (monthly)

Illustrative only: category baselines are mock values; comparison scales by a country index vs Thailand.

Cost of living — quick FAQ

Where can I live on ~USD 1,000-1500/month?
Often a lean solo setup in Chiang Mai or non‑central Bangkok, or a couple sharing in regional cities. Think studio/1‑bed, local food, fewer imports. Use the calculator to tune bedrooms and city.
What about ~USD 2,000/month?
Typically a mid lifestyle for a solo/couple in Bangkok (nice 1‑bed) or a lean family of three in Chiang Mai. Coworking + some dining out fit. Schooling changes totals — toggle it in the calculator.
USD 3,000–4,000/month — what changes?
Upgrade to larger central Bangkok condos or family places in Phuket/Chiang Mai. Add private insurance, regular dining out, activities. One child’s international school can fit; multiple children raise costs fast.
Biggest cost drivers?
Schooling first, then rent (bedrooms + location). A/C hours and eating out also matter.
Do I need a car?
In Bangkok often no (BTS/MRT + rides). For regional cities or school commutes, a car helps — add fuel/parking.
Are taxes included?
No. Costs shown are living expenses. Tax depends on visa, work structure and residency; get professional advice.

Further reading & tools

Estimates only — use the calculator and current FX to refine to your case.

Updated 2025-09-05 · Published 2025-08-28