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Bangkok vs Koh Samui cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇹🇭 Bangkok
🇹🇭 Koh SamuiBangkok is 45% cheaper than Koh Samui
Living on $1,556 a month in Bangkok feels like about $2,165 in Koh Samui — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$71.9 vs $109
Per month
$1,556 vs $2,165
Local meal
฿ 70 vs ฿ 120
$2.12 vs $3.64
Taxi 5 km
฿ 52 vs ฿ 160
$1.58 vs $4.85
At a glance
FoodBangkok 37% cheaper
Cafés & drinksBangkok 23% cheaper
TransportBangkok 46% cheaper
StayBangkok 22% cheaper
FunBangkok 8% cheaper
- Where Bangkok is clearly cheaper: Taxi (68%↓), Local meal (42%↓), Street food (41%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Bangkok | Koh Samui | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ฿ 70$2.12 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Bangkok −42% |
| Street food1 item | ฿ 32$0.97 | ฿ 54$1.64 | Bangkok −41% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ฿ 400$12.1 | ฿ 530$16.1 | Bangkok −25% |
| Coffeeone cup | ฿ 80$2.42 | ฿ 99$3 | Bangkok −19% |
| Beerone bottle | ฿ 90$2.73 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Bangkok −25% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ฿ 230$6.97 | ฿ 310$9.39 | Bangkok −26% |
| Bottled water | ฿ 10$0.3 | ฿ 14$0.42 | Bangkok −29% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ฿ 25$0.76 | ฿ 35$1.06 | Bangkok −29% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ฿ 52$1.58 | ฿ 160$4.85 | Bangkok −68% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ฿ 66$2 | ฿ 76$2.3 | Bangkok −13% |
| Transitone ride | ฿ 30$0.91 | ฿ 40$1.21 | Bangkok −25% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ฿ 260$7.88 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Bangkok −13% |
| Hotel night3-star | ฿ 1,400$42.4 | ฿ 2,000$60.6 | Bangkok −30% |
| Studio rent (month) | ฿ 16,000$485 | ฿ 18,000$545 | Bangkok −11% |
| Laundry | ฿ 50$1.52 | ฿ 50$1.52 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | ฿ 260$7.88 | ฿ 260$7.88 | similar |
| Haircutcut | ฿ 120$3.64 | ฿ 130$3.94 | Bangkok −8% |
| Massage1 hour | ฿ 330$10 | ฿ 380$11.5 | Bangkok −13% |
| Half-day tourper person | ฿ 990$30 | ฿ 1,100$33.3 | Bangkok −10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ฿ 260$7.88 | ฿ 260$7.88 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Bangkok or Koh Samui?
Bangkok is 45% cheaper than Koh Samui. Daily budget $71.9 vs $109; a month $1,556 vs $2,165.
How do monthly costs compare between Bangkok and Koh Samui?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bangkok is about $1,556 and Koh Samui about $2,165 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.