Cost of Living in Thailand for Expats: Bangkok vs Chiang Mai and Other Cities
Updated Mon, 12 October 2026
Calculate your own monthly budget →How much you spend in Thailand depends mostly on where you live and how you live. Rent and Western food make the biggest difference. Here are realistic monthly figures for one person, including rent, food, bills, a scooter, health insurance (age 40), going out and a 10% buffer.
Monthly cost for one person (THB)
| City | Budget | Comfortable | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 36,100 | 63,500 | 138,600 |
| Chiang Mai | 28,700 | 48,100 | 103,400 |
| Phuket | 36,100 | 60,200 | 133,100 |
| Pattaya | 30,600 | 51,600 | 112,000 |
| Hua Hin | 31,700 | 51,600 | 112,000 |
| Koh Samui | 36,500 | 60,800 | 134,600 |
| Smaller cities (Udon Thani, Khon Kaen) | 27,300 | 44,100 | 93,100 |
Budget means mostly Thai food, a simple studio, and few trips. Comfortable means a modern condo with a pool and a mix of Thai and Western food. Luxury means a large home in a top area, Western food and frequent travel.
Bangkok vs Chiang Mai
Living comfortably in Chiang Mai costs about 25% less than in Bangkok. Almost all of the difference is rent: a modern one-bedroom condo is roughly 14,000 THB a month in Chiang Mai against 25,000 THB in central Bangkok. Food is also a little cheaper in Chiang Mai.
Bangkok gives you better hospitals, international schools, the BTS and MRT, and more jobs and events. Chiang Mai is calmer and greener, but has a smoky “burning season” from about February to April that many people leave for.
The biggest costs
- Rent. Usually 30–40% of the budget. Signing a 12-month lease is often cheaper than monthly rates.
- Food. Thai street food can be under 100 THB a meal. Western restaurants and imported groceries can cost as much as at home.
- Health insurance. Cheap when you are young, but premiums rise steeply after 50 and even more after 70.
- International school. If you have children, fees can be the single largest cost, often 35,000–85,000 THB a month per child.
- Electricity. Running air conditioning all day can double the bill in the hot season.
Retiring in Thailand
If you plan to retire, remember that the retirement visa has its own money rule: 800,000 THB in a Thai bank or 65,000 THB a month of income. This applies even if you spend less.
Calculate your own monthly budget →This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm with Thai Immigration, the Revenue Department or a professional.