Thailand is widely known as a popular tourist destination, recently ranking as the eighth most visited country in the world. As more and more people consider moving overseas for work or lifestyle reasons, Thailand is also becoming a popular choice for expat living. Offering a stable economy, beautiful scenery, a relaxed lifestyle, and an affordable cost of living, it’s easy to see why.
If you’re considering moving to Thailand, you’ll want to know the average living expenses. You’ll find everything you need to know in Remitly’s guide to the cost of living in Thailand.
Regional variations in living costs in Thailand
According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost of living in Thailand as of June 2025 for a family of four is around $2200 USD (approximately 70,000 THB), and around $620 USD (approximately 20,000 THB) for a single person, excluding rent.
These figures fluctuate depending on location, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Living expenses can vary greatly between urban centers, rural areas, and tourist hubs. Let’s look at some examples.
Cost of living in Bangkok
In Thailand’s capital city, you can expect to see higher housing prices than in smaller cities. On the positive side, it offers modern amenities, more options for education and healthcare, and easier access to international restaurants and other luxuries from home. The downside to this is that it’s easier to spend more money.
On average, a single person can expect to spend about 36,000 THB per month, including rent for a central, one-bedroom apartment. Not bad compared to a capital city in Europe or the US.
Cost of living in smaller cities and rural areas
Smaller cities like Chiang Mai can offer a great combination of local culture, affordability, and an international community. Life here is slow-paced and relaxed, with less traffic and crowds than Bangkok. A single person can expect living expenses of approximately 33,000 THB per month, rent included—a modest saving compared to the capital city.
On the other hand, for those who really want to dive into local life, settling in the rural northeast can be an eye-opening (and budget-friendly) experience. In the Isaan region, you’ll find mouth-watering cuisine, an extremely quiet lifestyle, and very affordable accommodation. Get ready to learn the Thai language and mingle with the locals, because you won’t find a big expat community in rural areas.
Cost of living in tourist areas like Phuket or Koh Samui
If you’re drawn to the scenic beauty of Thailand’s beaches and islands, be prepared to pay a higher price for areas that are popular with visitors. In Phuket and Koh Samui, housing prices are driven up by demand from tourists and expats. Budget for around 44,000 THB per month, including a one-bedroom, central apartment.
These areas offer a thriving expat community and plenty of activities to keep you busy. You’ll find a range of international restaurant options and lots of English-speaking locals. However, be prepared for crowds during peak tourism seasons.
Housing costs in Thailand
Thailand offers a variety of housing options for expats, including apartments, condos, and houses. The cost of housing depends on the type of housing, region, and distance from the city center. Rental prices are more affordable in small cities and rural areas compared to major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Housing costs by city
The table below shows the approximate average rent prices in June 2025, listed in THB.
| Area | One-bedroom, city center | One-bedroom, outside the center | Three-bedroom, city center | Three-bedroom, outside the center |
| Bangkok | 22,000 | 11,000 | 62,000 | 27,500 |
| Koh Samui | 22,500 | 12,000 | 46,000 | 36,000 |
| Phuket | 20,000 | 14,500 | 66,500 | 48,500 |
| Pattaya | 18,000 | 11,500 | 43,500 | 22,000 |
| Chiang Mai | 14,500 | 7,500 | 26,500 | 16,500 |
| Udon Thani | 6,500 | 4,000 | 16,000 | 11,000 |
Utilities and other monthly bills
Utilities costs are separate from the rent. On average, expect to pay about 2,500 THB a month for your basic utility costs (electric, water, and community fees). A mobile phone plan will cost about 500 THB per month, and add another 500 if you want fast internet at home.
Food and dining costs in Thailand
Food and dining in Thailand are very affordable, making the food culture an essential experience for visitors and expats alike. Thai cuisine is rich in heritage and flavor. Street food, ubiquitous and cheap in every town and city in the country, is a popular choice among locals and foreigners.
A meal from a street vendor or an inexpensive restaurant will cost about 100 THB per person, while a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant will set you back around 450 per person.
Cost of groceries in Thailand
If you prefer to cook at home, groceries are also affordable in Thailand, though you’ll save a lot of money if you stick to local food preferences and avoid more expensive imported items. Here are the prices of some common grocery items:
- A gallon of milk: 230 THB
- A loaf of bread (1 lb): 40 THB
- A pound of rice: 20 THB
- A dozen eggs: 70 THB
- A pound of chicken fillets: 45 THB
- A pound of potatoes: 25 THB
Transportation costs in Thailand
Transportation is one of the major living expenses in Thailand in 2025. You can opt for public transportation or buy a car for private transportation. You’ll need a driving license to drive yourself around.
Public transport options in Thailand are quite extensive. They include buses, trains, tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycle taxis, and local minibuses called songthaews. In Bangkok, you can also take advantage of the BTS Skytrain and the MRT Subway.
A one-way ticket for public transportation costs an average of 25 THB. The normal starting tariff for a taxi is 38 THB, plus 65 THB per mile. Tuk-tuks are a cheaper alternative to taxis and are very popular with locals.
Healthcare costs in Thailand
Healthcare costs in Thailand are significantly cheaper than in Western countries. Public and private facilities are available, both offering high-quality care with modern equipment at affordable rates.
Thailand has universal health coverage with no out-of-pocket costs, accessible to all citizens. Expats are eligible for this scheme via their employer. You must show your passport to receive medical care.
Private healthcare options
Many expats decide to take out private medical insurance to get affordable medical services at a private institution. Top private coverage providers are Allianz Ayudhya, Cigna, AXA Thailand, Bupa Global, and Pacific Cross Health.
Prices vary widely depending on your circumstances, but on average, you can expect to pay around 50,000 to 100,000 THB for health insurance with exclusive inpatient coverage, or 85,000 to 200,000 THB for inpatient and outpatient coverage.
Private medical providers offer several benefits for expats:
- Higher chances of a multilingual doctor—there’s no guarantee that you’ll find a doctor who speaks English in public hospitals
- Interpreter services are available if your doctor doesn’t speak English
- Shorter waiting times
- Newer medical equipment
Thailand is a big destination for medical tourism for services such as cancer treatment, fertility assistance, orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine, and dentistry. This is because the country offers high-quality care and is very affordable compared to other countries.
You may have trouble finding a reliable general practitioner (GP) for minor issues because there are more specialists than GPs in Thailand.
Other monthly expenses in Thailand in 2025
Other activities like going to the cinema, joining a gym, enjoying the nightlife, and attending festivals will contribute to your monthly expenses. Consider setting aside a monthly budget for entertainment and leisure.
Your lifestyle choices will impact your overall spending, so find ways to reduce these costs. For example, opt for free entertainment, take advantage of discounts and group tickets, and choose affordable bars and restaurants when you go out.
Tips for managing living costs in Thailand in 2025
Although life in Thailand is inexpensive, you can save money by considering these cost-management tips.
- Choose your location wisely, avoiding tourist areas like Phuket. Life is more affordable in the north or inland, in areas like Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.
- Negotiate your rent. Some landlords offer discounts for long lease periods
- Cook at home or indulge in street food
- Shop at wet markets and local stores like Lotus and Big C, instead of the international stores
- Track your expenses by installing budgeting apps
- Use local transportation such as buses and trains
- Compare service providers for utilities and health insurance to get the best rates
- Learn basic Thai to get better prices when shopping locally. Although it’s not a guarantee, it’s worth trying.
- Convert your money into Thai baht to transact in the local currency and save on foreign exchange costs
Conclusion
The cost of living in Thailand in 2025 is generally affordable compared to Western countries. You’ll enjoy authentic Thai culture, a stable economy, beautiful scenery, thriving economic sectors, and a slow pace of life. The amount you spend per month depends on the region you choose to live in. If you manage your living expenses in Thailand carefully, you’ll be able to save, invest, and spare some money to send back home to your family abroad using the Remitly app.
FAQs
How much does it cost to live in Thailand as an expat?
The average cost of living in Thailand in May 2025 for a family of four is $2200 USD (approximately 70,000 THB), and around $620 USD (approximately 20,000 THB) for a single person, excluding rent. These figures fluctuate depending on location, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
What are the monthly living expenses in Thailand?
In general, Thailand is a very affordable country. Living costs will depend on family size, region, and personal lifestyle.
What is the average salary in Thailand for foreigners?
Expats in Thailand earn a fairly decent wage compared to the cost of living. The average salary varies based on profession, experience, and location.
What are the best cities for expats in Thailand?
Expats in Thailand love living in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Korat, and Udon Thani.