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Chengdu vs Koh Samui cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇨🇳 Chengdu
🇹🇭 Koh SamuiChengdu is 10% cheaper than Koh Samui
Living on $1,909 a month in Chengdu feels like about $2,165 in Koh Samui — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$103 vs $109
Per month
$1,909 vs $2,165
Local meal
¥ 25 vs ฿ 120
$3.52 vs $3.64
Taxi 5 km
¥ 25 vs ฿ 160
$3.52 vs $4.85
At a glance
FoodChengdu 7% cheaper
Cafés & drinksChengdu 9% cheaper
TransportChengdu 54% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunKoh Samui 39% cheaper
- Where Koh Samui is clearly cheaper: Haircut (68%↓), Massage (67%↓), Entry ticket (34%↓)
- Where Chengdu is clearly cheaper: Transit (77%↓), Taxi (27%↓), Beer (19%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Chengdu | Koh Samui | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 120$3.64 | similar |
| Street food1 item | ¥ 11$1.55 | ฿ 54$1.64 | Chengdu −5% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ¥ 99$13.9 | ฿ 530$16.1 | Chengdu −13% |
| Coffeeone cup | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 99$3 | Koh Samui −15% |
| Beerone bottle | ¥ 21$2.96 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Chengdu −19% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ¥ 55$7.75 | ฿ 310$9.39 | Chengdu −18% |
| Bottled water | ¥ 3$0.42 | ฿ 14$0.42 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ¥ 7.5$1.06 | ฿ 35$1.06 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | ¥ 25$3.52 | ฿ 160$4.85 | Chengdu −27% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ¥ 21$2.96 | ฿ 76$2.3 | Koh Samui −22% |
| Transitone ride | ¥ 2$0.28 | ฿ 40$1.21 | Chengdu −77% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ¥ 85$12 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Koh Samui −24% |
| Hotel night3-star | ¥ 430$60.6 | ฿ 2,000$60.6 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | ¥ 3,900$549 | ฿ 18,000$545 | similar |
| Laundry | ¥ 14$1.97 | ฿ 50$1.52 | Koh Samui −23% |
| SIM card1 week data | ¥ 71$10 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Koh Samui −21% |
| Haircutcut | ¥ 88$12.4 | ฿ 130$3.94 | Koh Samui −68% |
| Massage1 hour | ¥ 250$35.2 | ฿ 380$11.5 | Koh Samui −67% |
| Half-day tourper person | ¥ 280$39.4 | ฿ 1,100$33.3 | Koh Samui −15% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ¥ 85$12 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Koh Samui −34% |
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 Samui?
Chengdu is 10% cheaper than Koh Samui. Daily budget $103 vs $109; a month $1,909 vs $2,165.
How do monthly costs compare between Chengdu and Koh Samui?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chengdu is about $1,909 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.