How much does it cost for a single person or a couple to live in Thailand now?
We'll divide it into 5 categories: 1) Live like a Thai 2) Cheap Charlie 3) Western comfort 4) VIP 5) Luxury
and I'll tell you my ideal monthly living expense for the budget we recommend
I'll also tell you how much I spend per month
As a single guy in my 20s
I went to Thailand multiple times, spanning four decades and spent more than 100,000 baht per month
Which is about $3,000 USD
I also spent less than 15,000 baht per month which is about $500 USD
So, I know how much it costs because I stayed in luxury hotels and ate at expensive restaurants in Bangkok
Rayong, Chiang Mai and many other places
But I also like cheap street food and staying in some of the smallest studio apartments
The cost of living in Thailand is hard to estimate because everyone's situation is different
Everyone comes from a different background, has different tastes, spends money in different ways, and lives on different budgets
But can you still live in the country on $500 USD a month?
or do you need more than $3,000 USD?
Let us first examine how most Thais spend their money each month
Don't take this to mean that I suggest living on this budget
I don't
However, I will reveal how it is doable later
For rent, you will be renting a Thai-style accommodation for between 2,000 and 4,000 baht
or about $100 USD per month
Most likely but not always
The room will not have air conditioning or hot water for a shower
Utility costs will be under 1,000 baht or about $33 USD
These include electricity and water probably not enough for a TV and internet plan
In terms of food, for one person, it will cost around 5,000 to 6,000 baht or about $150 USD per month
Depending on how much Thai food you enjoy eating
This will be hard to do if you include western food
At this price range, you will be mainly eating Thai food
Transportation will cost between 500 and 1,000 baht per month or roughly $15 USD
This isn't even enough for a week's worth of subway rides in Bangkok
However, it is all you can afford on this budget
Going out, nightlife, partying, and smoking will be difficult if not impossible to afford on this budget
Miscellaneous items such as washing and clothes will allow you to spend around 2,000 baht each month
Then you must think about health insurance and the expense of your Thai visa
Westerners find it hard to live in the country now especially on this budget
But it is still possible
Here's how
You can only live on this budget if you live outside of the cities own a fully paid home or condo
and only have to pay for utilities
If you can consume Thai food most of the time and do not drink or smoke
It is possible to live with this budget
However, this is not for everyone and WE DO NOT recommend it!
You will not be able to survive on this budget, if you are not used to living in a rural location
I believe that to live in Thailand for an extended period of time, you must be special
To live for an extended period of time in rural Thailand you must be exceptionally special
Let's look at what you can get for $800 USD to $1,000 USD each month
Rent should be between 4,000 and 8,000 baht a month
or approximately $100 to $230 USD
What you see here are accommodations in that price range
Air conditioning and hot water will be included
You will be able to pay between 1,000 and 2,000 baht each month for utilities
They include electricity, water, tv, internet and phone service
You will be able to enjoy a mixture of western and Thai food for anywhere between 6,000 and 12,000 baht
or about $180 and $360 USD per month
You will save more money if you can eat Thai food
If you spend all of your time partying, smoking, and drinking
You cannot survive on less than $1,000 us dollars per month
However, you can accomplish it if you drink and party on occasion
Don't forget about your health insurance and Thai visa fees
These will differ depending on who you are
The cost of a Thai visa, especially if you are under 50 years old
It will be costly because you are not eligible to apply for a retirement visa
Living long-term for people under 50 will be difficult on this budget
Short-term for a few months is fine
Laundry, clothing, gym membership, and massages will be limited to roughly 2,000 baht each month
I don't recommend living on this budget for westerners
But it is achievable if you don't party and can live outside of cities
Let's see what you can get for $1,500 to $2,000 USD every month
For rent, you will be able to spend between 10,000 and 20,000 baht
or about $300 and $600 USD per month on western-style accommodation
Outside the cities, you may rent a two-story detached home or more in that price range
They will include multiple air conditioning units and hot water
There may even be a bathtub
In Thailand, a bathtub is considered a luxury
There aren't many places that have a bathtub
Most just have a standing shower
Utilities for electricity, water, tv, internet, and phone will be about 2,000 baht
Possibly more but with this budget, you will be able to afford them
Food and consumables will cost you between 10,000 and 20,000 baht
or around $300 and $600 USD
Again, the cost will be determined by how much Thai or western cuisine you consume
Imported ingredients from the west will be more expensive than Thai items
The cost of transportation will range from 1,000 to 6,500 baht
Including local transit and scooter rental
Monthly entertainment costs between 5,000 and 10,000 baht
or about $200 and $300 USD for going to parties, drinking, and smoking
If you don't party or drink, it won't be close to 5,000 baht
Other expenses such as laundry, clothes, and massages will cost roughly 3,000 baht
For about $100 USD per month
You could even hire a maid to come in once a week for a few hours to clean your room on this budget
Then there's the expense of your Thai visa and health insurance
This one costs more than $2,000 USD per month
or between 60,000 and 100,000 baht per month
If you are a single person or even if you have a Thai girlfriend
and believe that this is insufficient to live in the kingdom
Then we think you're spoiled and out of touch
With 60,000 to 100,000 baht each month
You can rest assured that you can easily live comfortably as a single man or with your partner
You can afford rent at roughly 20,000 baht for $2,000 USD each month
Leaving you with 40,000 baht
This will enable you to rent a magnificent downtown condo with a gym and a swimming pool
If you live outside of the cities, you could spend that money on a lovely modern fully furnished home
Your utilities for electricity, water, tv, internet, and phone
Might be around 2,000 baht at the low end and the high end at 4000 baht
If you use multiple air conditioners all the time
The cost of food will be about 20,000 baht for Thai and western food
But at 20,000 baht you can eat western food all the time
It is cheaper if you cook or eat more Thai food
You will be able to spend up to 15,000 baht per month on your transportation
You may spend whatever you want on entertainment
More money if you frequently party, less money if you don't drink, smoke, or don't party
If your budget is around 60,000 baht a month
For miscellaneous items such as laundry and clothing
You will have your own private washing machine or even a dryer
You might even be able to afford a regular maid to help with housework
This is the price range I consider to be luxurious (in Thailand)
Nevertheless, everyone's definition of luxury will differ
Even if you have a Thai partner monthly spending of more than 100,000 baht
or $3,000 USD will make your life quite pleasant in Thailand
Others will insist that spending 100,000 baht a month for a luxurious lifestyle is not feasible in the country
They're probably right, if they want to travel on a private yacht or go on a private jet
Traveling between Bangkok and Phuket every week
For regular folks, 100,000 baht or a little more per month is more than enough for a single individual or a couple
These are the rough monthly costs for living in Thailand as a single western individual and with your Thai partner
Other factors to consider are: Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?
Are you married with children?
Do you know what type of Thai visa you're eligible for and what kind of Thai visa you're planning to get?
The cost of a Thai visa will add a few hundred dollars every three months
Which of the 5 budget categories do I recommend?
If you want to enjoy the country on the smallest possible budget and not have to worry about 100 or 1,000 baht to buy what you want
You should budget around $1,500 USD each month
If you are not a heavy drinker, a smoker, or a party goer
You may be able to get away with nearly $1,000 USD
Having said that, I recommend the "western comfort" budget for a single westerner or a couple
For me, I have the option to spend anywhere between $800 to $1,500 USD every month
It is determined by how much I travel, the food I eat, my rent, my accommodation
Whether it is in the city center or outside of the city and if I need to see a dentist or doctor
Also, keep in mind that the cost of living in Thailand varies by region
In general, tourist locations in Bangkok, Phuket, and a section of Pattaya will be more expensive than non-tourist places
Most of the time living in a modern western-style apartment close to the beach
costs more than living in a Thai-style apartment outside of the city
It is simple to determine your true cost of living by staying for a month or two to see what the cost is
Take out 30,000 baht and see whether you can survive for a month on it
Typically, you will be excited and act like a tourist for the first few months of living here
So your expenses will be higher than usual
However, after a period you will get more at ease and begin to spend less money
You may spend more in some months than in others
The true answer to your cost of living will be totally UP TO YOU and your needs
Standard of living lifestyle and budget
Please tell me about your current monthly budget in Thailand compared to your native country
Leave your comments below
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