Bangkok
Thailand's capital: the widest choice of condos, rail transit (BTS/MRT), international hospitals and schools, and the largest job market.
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City & neighbourhood comparison
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin or Koh Samui? Compare costs and everyday life side by side. For areas within Bangkok, see Where to Live.
Compare your cost of living across Thailand
Choose up to three locations.
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Phuket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall cost: single, 1-bed (est.) | ฿31,946 | ฿24,979 | ฿38,810 |
| Overall cost: couple, 2-bed (est.) | ฿60,927 | ฿41,727 | ฿73,153 |
| 1-bed rent, centre / outside | ฿23,731 / ฿11,748 | ฿16,550 / ฿10,643 | ฿24,273 / ฿16,845 |
| 3-bed rent, centre / outside | ฿75,667 / ฿27,996 | ฿33,979 / ฿21,331 | ฿66,011 / ฿47,818 |
| Buy price per m², centre / outside | ฿207,965 / ฿107,711 | ฿81,110 / ฿54,467 | ฿140,823 / ฿100,948 |
| Utilities (85 m²) + internet | ฿4,247 | ฿2,769 | ฿3,877 |
| Monthly transport pass | ฿1,178 | ฿1,800 | ฿1,878 |
| Private preschool / child / month | ฿26,928 | ฿24,877 | ฿15,898 |
| Transport | BTS Skytrain and MRT subway cover the central districts; taxis and ride-hailing elsewhere. | No metro; most people use songthaews (shared red trucks), ride-hailing or their own scooter or car. | Limited public transport; most residents drive or use taxis and ride-hailing. |
| Healthcare | Large private and public hospital network, including internationally accredited private hospitals. | Several private hospitals serve the city; specialist care may mean travel to Bangkok. | Private international hospitals operate on the island. |
| International schools | The largest choice of international schools in Thailand. | A smaller but established choice of international schools. | Several international schools. |
| Lifestyle | Big-city living: dining, shopping malls, nightlife and culture. | Cafés, markets, temples and nature; seasonal smoke from crop burning (roughly February–April) is worth researching. | Beach and outdoor living; prices rise in tourist areas and high season. |
| Often suits | Remote workers, families and professionals who want city convenience. | Retirees and remote workers who want lower costs and a calmer pace. | Families and retirees who want a beach lifestyle and can budget for a car. |
Overall household totals exclude health insurance. Enter your quote in the cost calculator for a fuller budget.
Unit prices are crowd-sourced estimates. Household totals combine them with planning assumptions, not quotes. AUD/USD conversions use live exchange rates and are approximate.
- Bangkok: Numbeo · data checked 2026-10-27
- Chiang Mai: Numbeo · data checked 2026-10-27
- Phuket: Numbeo · data checked 2026-10-26
Chiang Mai
Northern city with a slower pace, mountains nearby and lower rents than Bangkok.
Phuket
Island province with beaches, a large international community and higher prices in popular areas.
Pattaya
Coastal city about two hours from Bangkok, with plenty of condos and a large expat community.
Hua Hin
Relaxed seaside town south-west of Bangkok, popular with retirees.
Koh Samui
Gulf island with resort-style living; island logistics push some prices up.