How Much to Budget for Living in Bangkok (2024)

Thailand’s cost of living is low, which is great news for students seeking in-person internships in Bangkok. Food is cheap and high quality, with the average cost of a meal in a restaurant costing between 60-100 baht. Street food is cheaper with a Pad Thai costing 40-50 baht and a bottle of water 10 baht.

What’s the Exchange Rate?*

1 GBP = 42.58 THB

1 USD = 34.04 THB

1 AUD = 22.68 THB

1 CAD = 24.98 THB

1 NZD = 21.20 THB

*Exchange rates as of 03/05/2023. For the current exchange rates, please see here.

What Budget Is Right for Me?

Your lifestyle is the main factor that will determine your budget. It will vary depending on what transportation you decide to take, personal dining preferences, nightlife and more.

Getting around Bangkok is easy and affordable. There are many ways to travel with the most popular being by Skytrain (BTS), Underground train (MRT), taxi, motorcycle, subway, Tuk Tuk and bus. The Skytrain and underground train are an excellent way to see the city, with trains running every 5-12 minutes and costing a minimum of 15 baht per ticket. For food, all apartments will have kitchens, so you will have the option to cook your own meals. However, local people typically dine out, buy food from local vendors, or use food delivery services. Food at supermarkets is also affordable, with big supermarkets like Big C and Tesco Lotus being the most popular.

Weekly/Monthly Expenses

In general, you can live on a low budget and still be able to live quite well. For those looking to spend a little more, there are also medium and high-budget estimates. See which budget is right for you.

[LOW] For those looking to save money while still having fun and trying new things.

Expense Type

Cost per week

Description

Transport

700THB

Using skytrain or underground train

Food

1,750THB

Street food, and cook

Treats

500THB

One night out with one alcohol drink

Extras

300THB

Going to museums/cinema

Avg weekly

3,250THB

Avg monthly

13,975THB

[MEDIUM] For those who go to the gym, eat out more or spend more in other ways.

Expense Type

Cost per week

Description

Transport

1,050THB

Using local taxi, skytrain or underground train

Food

2,750THB

Restuarant, food at shopping mall

Treats

1,200THB

Couple nights out with drinks and taxi

Extras

800THB

Going to museums/cinema/gym

Avg weekly

5,800THB

Avg monthly

24,940THB

[HIGH] For those who would like to spend more on co*cktail bars, taxis or shopping.

Expense Type

Cost per week

Description

Transport

1,750THB

Using local taxi, ride-hailing apps

Food

3,750THB

International restuarant/organic restaurant

Treats

2,000THB

Nights out at classy clubs with drinks and taxi/clothes shopping

Extras

1,500THB

Going to museums/cinema/gym/individual travel

Avg weekly

9,000THB

Avg monthly

38,700THB

How Much to Budget for Living in Bangkok (2024)

FAQs

How Much to Budget for Living in Bangkok? ›

The amount of money needed to live comfortably in Thailand varies depending on an individual's lifestyle and personal preferences. However, a rough estimate for a comfortable lifestyle in Thailand is around 30,000-50,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1000-$1600 USD) per month.

Is $1,000 dollars enough to live in Thailand? ›

If you're wondering whether you can live comfortably in Thailand on $1,000 a month, the answer is: it depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. While $1,000 a month might not sound like a lot, it can go a long way in Thailand, especially if you're willing to adjust your lifestyle.

Can you live on $3,000 a month in Thailand? ›

How much it costs to live in Thailand per month will differ based on individual needs, wants, and budgets. As the food and utility costs are affordable in Thailand, you can expect to shell out anywhere between $650 to $3,000 per month — which is around 2.6 times less than what you'd spend living each month in the U.S.

What is the minimum budget for Bangkok trip? ›

However, a rough estimate for a budget trip could range from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 per person, while a mid-range trip might cost around ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000 per person.

How much does it cost to live in Thailand in US dollars? ›

Your monthly living expenses in Thailand will vary depending on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. Opting for a rural area or smaller town will generally result in lower costs compared to living in major cities like Bangkok or Pattaya. On average, you can expect to spend between $700 and $1,000 per month.

Is $2000 a month enough to live in Thailand? ›

By International Living, Your #1 resource for a global lifestyle since 1979. You can live well in Thailand for just under $2,000 per month.

Is $500 a lot in Thailand? ›

To give you an idea of what to expect, the average monthly budget in Thailand is between $500-$1000 USD. This number will obviously be higher if you live in a major city like Bangkok or phu*ket. However, it is possible to have a great quality of on less if you are willing to make some sacrifices.

Can I retire in Thailand with 100k? ›

Thailand offers options for just about any budget. It's possible to get by on THB20,000 per month and it's possible to spend THB20,000 in a single day. To retire in Thailand comfortably with Western standards of living, we recommend budgeting THB50,000–100,000 per month.

What is a good expat salary in Bangkok? ›

The good news is that as an expat in Thailand, you can expect to earn a fairly decent wage, with the average annual salary in Thailand falling at around US$34,782 in 2021, or US$2904 a month.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bangkok? ›

The amount of money needed to live comfortably in Thailand varies depending on an individual's lifestyle and personal preferences. However, a rough estimate for a comfortable lifestyle in Thailand is around 30,000-50,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1000-$1600 USD) per month.

Is $50,000 enough for a Thailand trip? ›

If you want to see the elephants in Chiang Mai and the stunning beaches of Phi Phi, we've got the perfect budget travel itinerary for you! Whether Thailand is your honeymoon destination or your plan to travel solo, our guide will only cost you under INR 50,000!

How much is dinner in Bangkok? ›

Food is cheap and high quality, with the average cost of a meal in a restaurant costing between 60-100 baht. Street food is cheaper with a Pad Thai costing 40-50 baht and a bottle of water 10 baht. *Exchange rates as of 03/05/2023.

Is 5000 baht enough for 3 days? ›

Yes, 5000 baht can be enough for 3 days in Bangkok if you plan to eat street food and take taxis, and avoid any luxury activities. However, the amount you will need may depend on your specific itinerary, how much you plan to eat, and the distance of your taxi rides.

Can a US citizen live permanently in Thailand? ›

There are specific requirements that applicants must meet to apply for Thai Permanent Residency: Applicants must hold a passport with a Non-Immigrant Visa stamp and must have stayed in Thailand continuously for at least three years with annual visa extensions until the day of application submission.

How much is an apartment in Bangkok? ›

Apartments that more closely resemble the western comforts start at about 15,000 baht, or 462 dollars per month. If you truly want a luxurious apartment, you should also expect to pay approximately 30,000 baht, or 925 dollars per month.

Is $100 a lot of money in Thailand? ›

$100 will go very far in Thailand -- especially if you visit phu*ket. Whether you want to ride in a tuk-tuk and feed macaque monkeys or get a massage and manicure, many phu*ket activities will only cost a few U.S. dollars. You don't know street food until you've eaten in Thailand.

How much do I need to live comfortably in Thailand? ›

The amount of money needed to live comfortably in Thailand varies depending on an individual's lifestyle and personal preferences. However, a rough estimate for a comfortable lifestyle in Thailand is around 30,000-50,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1000-$1600 USD) per month.

Can you retire in Thailand on $1,000 a month? ›

Still, the average Thai resident lives on less than $1,000 a month. To live cheaply, you could survive on a budget around this amount. You'll probably have to skip out on travel, eating in restaurants and paying for premium healthcare. A luxurious retirement in Thailand is available for around $5,000 a month.

Is 1000 baht a lot of money in Thailand? ›

If you are living on the minimum wage, TB 1,000 is a lot of money, because it represents the salary of three days. Many Thais make around TB 15,000 per month. This is around TB 500 per day. If your monthly salary is TB 15,000, TB 1,000 is a lot of money, because is represents the salary of two days.

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