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How Much Does it Cost to Live in Thailand? - TOP 5 Affordable and Best Places to Live


With over 32 cities and 77 provinces in Thailand it can be tough to decide where to live. People are choosing Thailand as the place to settle down. Why? Not only because of it's beaches, islands, jungles, palaces and unreal fun experiences but because it’s way cheaper than their hometown. Cities in Thailand can be as cheap or expensive as you want, depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for, of course alters the cost. You can live comfortably in Thailand for $700- $2,000 a month.


Saving tip: Buying food locally, going a little bit outside of the touristy areas for local hidden gems, learning a bit of the language to bargain, and avoiding those new fancy organic restaurants can help save you a ton of money.


After speaking with locals, expats, digital nomads and remote workers during my trip to Thailand and also conducting my own research, I’ve curated an informative list to hopefully help you with your decision.


If you're looking for more affordable options but still want to live in a place full of things to do, a good quality of life, great weather and more, then let's dive into the list!


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Best Places in Thailand from Cheapest to Most Expensive:



1. Chiang Rai




Location: Largest city in Northern Thailand

Ideal person: If you are a solo traveler, bargain traveler or expat who likes a mix of city and country life

Most popular things to do: White temple, night bazaar, large pagoda Buddhist Temple, waterfalls, long neck village


Pros:

  • peaceful relaxing environment away from the scene

  • most affordable

  • very low crime rate; safe

  • decent healthcare; overall good quality of life


Cons:

  • very wet during rainy season

  • less to do compared to other cities

  • pollution


Price per month: $700- $1000






2. Chiang Mai




Location: Mountainous northern Thailand

Ideal person: yoga lovers, long term nomads, solo travelers

Most popular things to do: ancient temples, cute cafes, country tours, elephants


Pros:

  • affordable condos, nice neighborhoods

  • mountainous landscapes, great for hiking

  • nice weather

  • more things to do

Cons:

  • public transport

  • can get too busy during peak season

  • prices are on the rise

Price per month: $850-$1,500




3. Pattaya




Location: Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches

Ideal person: young travelers who love fun and adventure

Most popular things to do: Big Buddha temple, resorts, high rise condos, quiet beaches, waterparks, malls, caberat bars, museums, huge gardens


Pros:

  • walking distance to most of the city’s main attractions

  • close to Bangkok

  • expanding infrastructure and public transport

Cons:

  • high prostitution

  • very hot weather all year

  • crowded during peak season

Prices per month: $900-$1,900






4. Phuket




Location: rain forested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea

Ideal person: couples, nomads

Most popular things to do: beaches, resorts, nightlife, markets, spas resorts, Big Buddha, scuba diving


Pros:

  • romantic scenic views

  • very safe

  • not as crowded

  • more English speakers


Cons:

  • limited public transport

  • scammers, police corruption

  • loud bugs called Cicadas

Price per month: $1,000 - 2,000






5. Bangkok




Location: Thailand’s capital, modern and cosmopolitan city

Ideal person: young, party lovers, solo travelers, group travel

Most popular things to do: skyscrapers, grand temples and palaces luxury hotels, clubs, top restaurants


Pros:

  • many primal locations to live

  • good healthcare, quality of life

  • advanced transport system

  • a lot of $ business opportunities

Cons:

  • traffic

  • pollution

  • crowds

Price per month: $1,200- $2,500



Please comment down below if you have any questions!


Until the next trip, adios! <3



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Hi! I'm Lauryn, a Canadian Dominicana who loves travel, food and learning different cultures.

I am here to help if you're looking for travel guides, itineraries, tips, interesting facts and food reviews for your next travel destination!

Thanks for being here <3

Bienvenida <3

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