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Chengdu vs Koh Phangan cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇨🇳 Chengdu
🇹🇭 Koh PhanganKoh Phangan is 7% cheaper than Chengdu
Living on $1,909 a month in Chengdu feels like about $1,867 in Koh Phangan — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$103 vs $91.1
Per month
$1,909 vs $1,867
Local meal
¥ 25 vs ฿ 100
$3.52 vs $3.03
Taxi 5 km
¥ 25 vs ฿ 200
$3.52 vs $6.06
At a glance
FoodKoh Phangan 9% cheaper
Cafés & drinksKoh Phangan 8% cheaper
TransportChengdu 78% cheaper
StayKoh Phangan 21% cheaper
FunKoh Phangan 42% cheaper
- Where Koh Phangan is clearly cheaper: Haircut (71%↓), Massage (70%↓), Entry ticket (49%↓)
- Where Chengdu is clearly cheaper: Transit (91%↓), Taxi (42%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Chengdu | Koh Phangan | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 100$3.03 | Koh Phangan −14% |
| Street food1 item | ¥ 11$1.55 | ฿ 45$1.36 | Koh Phangan −12% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ¥ 99$13.9 | ฿ 450$13.6 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 85$2.58 | Koh Phangan −27% |
| Beerone bottle | ¥ 21$2.96 | ฿ 100$3.03 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ¥ 55$7.75 | ฿ 260$7.88 | similar |
| Bottled water | ¥ 3$0.42 | ฿ 12$0.36 | Koh Phangan −14% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ¥ 7.5$1.06 | ฿ 30$0.91 | Koh Phangan −14% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 200$6.06 | Chengdu −42% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ¥ 21$2.96 | ฿ 100$3.03 | similar |
| Transitone ride | ¥ 2$0.28 | ฿ 100$3.03 | Chengdu −91% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ¥ 85$12 | ฿ 250$7.58 | Koh Phangan −37% |
| Hotel night3-star | ¥ 430$60.6 | ฿ 1,500$45.5 | Koh Phangan −25% |
| Studio rent (month) | ¥ 3,900$549 | ฿ 15,000$455 | Koh Phangan −17% |
| Laundry | ¥ 14$1.97 | ฿ 50$1.52 | Koh Phangan −23% |
| SIM card1 week data | ¥ 71$10 | ฿ 250$7.58 | Koh Phangan −24% |
| Haircutcut | ¥ 88$12.4 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Koh Phangan −71% |
| Massage1 hour | ¥ 250$35.2 | ฿ 350$10.6 | Koh Phangan −70% |
| Half-day tourper person | ¥ 280$39.4 | ฿ 1,200$36.4 | Koh Phangan −8% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ¥ 85$12 | ฿ 200$6.06 | Koh Phangan −49% |
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, Chengdu or Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan is 7% cheaper than Chengdu. Daily budget $103 vs $91.1; a month $1,909 vs $1,867.
How do monthly costs compare between Chengdu and Koh Phangan?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chengdu is about $1,909 and Koh Phangan about $1,867 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.