Rebecca
Working in Chiang Mai (well, just outside)
Monthly Earnings 50,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I earn around 38,000 baht from my full-time job at a private bilingual school in Chiang Mai, where I teach young learners Monday to Friday. On the side, I make about 7,000 baht a month tutoring a couple of private students in the evenings, usually charging 500 baht per session. I also pick up a bit of online teaching through a freelance platform, which brings in roughly another 5,000 baht depending on how many sessions I do. It’s a manageable mix that gives me a steady income and a bit of variety as well.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
Most months I manage to save around 10,000 to 12,000 baht, sometimes a bit more if I’m careful.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 6,500 baht a month for a small but modern studio apartment just outside Chiang Mai’s Old City. It’s in a low-rise condo-style building - nothing fancy, but it’s clean, safe, and has air-con, a little balcony, and even communal washing machines on the ground floor. It’s walking distance to my school and a night market, so it’s super convenient. I looked at more stylish condos with a pool and gym, but honestly, this place suits my needs and helps me save.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I spend about 1,200 to 1,500 baht per month on transportation. I don’t own a motorbike, so I mostly get around on my bicycle, which was a secondhand steal for 1,500 baht. I occasionally take a Grab taxi or use the red songthaews (shared pickup trucks) if I’m going somewhere far or it’s raining. If I had a motorbike, fuel and maintenance would probably cost about the same, maybe a bit less, but I prefer not having to deal with the risks.
Utility bills
On average, I spend about 1,200 to 1,700 baht per month on utilities. Electricity is the biggest cost, usually ranging from 800 to 1,500 baht, depending on how often I use the air-con. During the hot season, it's on most nights and sometimes during the day on weekends. Water and Wi-Fi are included in my rent, which helps a lot, and I top up my mobile data plan for around 400 baht a month. I try to be energy-conscious, but realistically, the air-con is non-negotiable for at least a few months of the year in Chiang Mai.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I typically spend around 8,000 to 10,000 baht per month on food, which includes both eating out and supermarket shopping. For supermarket shopping, I usually spend about 3,000 to 4,000 baht a month. I buy basics like rice, vegetables, fruit, and some imported snacks or ingredients for cooking. I cook at home most of the time, especially for breakfast and dinner, and occasionally pick up something easy for lunch. For eating out, I eat at local places for lunch, where a meal can be as cheap as 50–70 baht, and treat myself to a café or Western-style restaurant maybe once or twice a week, which can run 150–300 baht per meal. If I’m in the mood for something fancy, it can be more, but I’m pretty good at keeping it affordable.
Nightlife and drinking
I’m not big on nightlife, so I keep my spending here pretty low - around 6,000 baht per month. I’ll go out for drinks with friends several times a month, usually at a local bar or pub. A beer is about 50–80 baht, and cocktails can range from 150 to 250 baht, depending on the place. If I do go out, I prefer places with a laid-back vibe, not full-on party spots. I might also grab a few drinks at home occasionally, but overall, nightlife doesn’t take up much of my budget.
Books, computers
I don’t spend much on books or computers, but there are occasional splurges. On average, I’d say I spend around 500 baht per month on books. I mostly buy ebooks or secondhand paperbacks, which are cheap in Chiang Mai’s secondhand bookstores or online. As for computers, I haven’t bought anything major recently since my laptop still works fine. Overall, my budget for books and tech stays fairly modest, but I like to keep a couple of interesting reads on hand for any downtime.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I live comfortably on a modest budget, enjoying a simple, laid-back lifestyle with occasional treats, plenty of local experiences, and enough flexibility to travel or indulge when I feel like it.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
No surprises really. Street food is a great deal. Traditional Thai massages for as little as 150 baht. I'm even more appreciative of these after a friend told me how much Thai massages now cost in the UK. Rent is also very affordable compared to back home. Local markets, like Warorot, offer secondhand books, clothes, and household items at great prices, and you can haggle for even better deals.
Q7. 50,000 baht is not a bad income for Chiang Mai though is it?
No, 50,000 baht is not bad for Chiang Mai. It’s above average for many teachers working here I would say. 50K allows for a comfortable lifestyle, with room for saving, occasional travel, and enjoying the social scene. While it’s not a huge amount by international standards, Chiang Mai’s relatively low cost of living means you can live well on that income, especially if you keep things simple and don’t go overboard with expensive habits.
Q8. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
At least 25,000 to 30,000 baht in my opinion. This would cover the basics like rent (for a modest apartment or shared accommodation), utilities, food, and transportation. If you’re sharing a place or living in a budget studio, the rent might be as low as 6,000 baht (what I pay). If you cook at home most of the time and avoid expensive nights out, you could get by on a tight budget with that amount. However, for a more comfortable lifestyle, including occasional socializing, some savings, and a bit of leisure, I’d recommend earning around 40,000 to 50,000 baht. That gives you more flexibility to enjoy life up here without constantly counting the pennies.
Phil's analysis and comment
I think 50,000 baht a month is a pretty decent income for Chiang Mai. It's a city that could cost you a lot of money but you budget well, Rebecca and it doesn't sound like you miss out on that much really. It feels like you have a lifestyle you're very satisfied with.
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