Every new arrival wants to know if they can survive or live well in Thailand on X thousand baht a month?
It's a difficult question because each person has different needs. However, the following surveys and figures are from teachers actually working here! How much do they earn and what do they spend their money on?. And after each case study, I've added comments of my own.
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Approximate Thai Baht (฿) conversion rates as of 24th May 2025
฿33 to one US Dollar฿44 to one Pound Sterling
฿37 to one Euro
฿21 to one Australian Dollar
฿0.59 THB to one Philippine Peso
Bob
Working in Chiang Mai
Monthly Earnings 65,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at an international school in Chiang Mai and take home a salary of 57K after tax. I can add about 8,000 baht to that by doing privates.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
40,000 baht
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I live in a bog standard studio apartment and pay 3,000 baht per month
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I have my own scooter (as most long term expats in Chiang Mai tend to do) and gas costs about a thousand baht a month.
Utility bills
Nothing. Electricity and water comes as part of the 3,000 baht rental fee.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
About 6,000
Nightlife and drinking
Booze and cigarettes I would say another 4,000.
Books, computers
Nothing.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I don't want for anything.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food, accommodation and gas.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
To survive in Chiang Mai, the bare bones would be 3K for a room and another 200 baht a day on food, so you could do it for 10,000 baht a month. Throw in a few beers and the odd oil massage and you're up to about 15K.
Phil's analysis and comment
I shudder at the thought of trying to survive in Chiang Mai on 15,000 baht a month with all those Western temptations but hats off to Bob for stashing away 40,000 baht a month in savings. By my calculations, he's 'surviving' on about 25K a month. Doable I would imagine but I bet there isn't a lot of money going on the likes of treats and travel.
If anyone fancies doing a cost of living survey, I've now put the questions on-line to make it easier and quicker for you. Please spare half an hour if you can.
A number of teachers complete the surveys with just a list of figures. I don't wish to sound ungrateful but that's not really what we're looking for. There needs to be some sort of 'story' behind the figures as it were (it certainly makes the surveys more interesting to read) Many thanks!
Sammy
Working in Hat Yai
Monthly Earnings 32,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My boyfriend and I both work at a government school and earn the same salary (32K)
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
10,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
We live in a 3-bedroom apartment (2.5 bedrooms would describe it better) and we pay 10,000 baht a month which includes wifi, pool, sauna and laundry facilities.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Scooter rental is 3,000 baht a month with fuel costing roughly 300 baht on top.
Utility bills
Water is cheap - the most we've paid so far is 70 baht and electricity usually comes to 800 / 900 (we hardly ever use the a/c as we're on the corner of the building so there's always a good breeze, however, the fan is on 24/7) We have gym memberships too, costing 1,100 each month
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Food varies - we cook and go out equally as much so I'd say about 7- 8,500 p/m. We've found a place that serves amazing Thai food for under 60 baht per meal so that's the usual spot. My boyfriend eats much more than me though so he probably spends about 11,000 or so p/m
Nightlife and drinking
Hmmm, we've made a few mistakes here and blown over 1,500 baht in a night (umm, each) so we're trying to limit it - but we enjoy the odd Chang with friends so I'd say about 1,000 baht per month.
Books, computers
I still have both from home but the boyfriend is into games so I guess he could easily spend over 2-3000 baht a month on those.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
It's really comfortable for us. We try save as much as possible to travel so sometimes it could be better but for now we're happy and are able to explore and eat well and do 'coupley' things like movies and picnics quite often.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Definitely the price of water! Thai food, scooter taxis (if you know how not to get ripped off) and market clothes / household items (we got a big fan, iron + ironing board, hangers and plates for 1,100 baht - something unheard of back home.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I would say no less than 32,000. I think if our accommodation was cheaper then it would be fine but after a while you need your own space, especially if it's a long-term venture. 40,000 baht would be awesome though.
Phil's analysis and comment
I think you're paying the perfect amount for accommodation. 64K a month coming in between you and your partner and just 10,000 of that going on what sounds like a very nice place. Sounds good to me.
I'm sure 64,000 baht a month affords a couple a very nice living in Hat Yai, which although a large city, doesn't have the temptations of Bangkok I'll bet.
Almost 20,000 baht a month on food though. My word, you guys must eat like kings! What are you eating when you're not at the 60 baht-a-meal Thai restaurant?
John
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 105,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at a private school in Bangkok (with 400 students) My basic salary is 95,000 and I can earn another 10,000 from private students.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A large portion of my paycheck goes to paying off school loans and credit cards, but I can still save about 30,000 baht per month.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
The school provides free housing for their teachers. My wife, daughter and I live in a four-room town house.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
We usually spend 1,000 baht a month on gas for the car, plus maybe around 300 baht for taxis here and there.
Utility bills
Utilities and maintenance are covered by the school.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
We eat out maybe every other night, so plus groceries maybe 3,000 per month
Nightlife and drinking
The nightlife scene doesn't really appeal to me. I'll go out with friends and drop maybe 200 baht a couple of nights a month.
Books, computers
Internet and phone plans come out to around 1,000 per month.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My family and I live very comfortably. There isn't much that we have to worry about. I sometimes get the itch to move to a "better" school with more prestige and name recognition, but I always come back to the conclusion that I'm very happy where I am.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
It has to be the food. Thai food is amazing, and Bangkok has a wide selection of international cuisine when you want something different.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I've built up my salary working at the same school for nearly a decade. I've lived on 30,000 per month when I was single and didn't have any problems. I'd say in the 30,000 to 40,000 range is a fine place to start for Bangkok living, if you don't mind staying away from the expensive restaurants and nightlife most of the time.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thank you John. That's a fine package you've got there sir! I can't understand why you would do the private students though when 95K plus free housing and utilities is a great deal already.
Was there some mistake with the monthly food spend John? 3,000 baht seems awfully low for a family of three unless you've found some ridiculously cheap Thai places. Even then that's only 250 baht a week each. That can't be right? LOL
James
Working in Mae Sai (Chiang Rai Province)
Monthly Earnings 28,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn 28,000 from my job at a private school. I have also in the past earned up to 2,500 baht a month from private tutoring, but don't do that all the time.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
14,000. It is easy to live cheap in the North. I have lived months on less than 12,000 before when I needed to save.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
My girlfriend and I pay 3,500 for a small one-room apartment in an apartment block with a few other farang teachers. We don't have a kitchen, but we have set up a camping stove in our little covered outside area which has a sink. We mostly need to go out to eat but that's cheaper anyway. Wi-fi is included.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
We rent a motorbike from our landlord for 2,000 baht a month and put in about 250 baht of petrol in each month. That is good for all our day to day transport needs. We go to Chiang Rai town once every two weeks or so which is 46 baht each way on the minibus. We could ride the bike for less but it isn't the nicest journey, especially in the rain. Might spend 100 baht on taxis while we are there. Going to Chiang Mai costs about 600 baht return, but we only do that once every 2 months or so.
Utility bills
Utility bills for water and electricity range from 300 baht to 1200 baht a month for the two of us depending on air con usage. The average is about 600 baht a month with air con every day for a couple of hours.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Food can be very cheap if you eat out locally (street food 20-40 baht / restaurants 35-60). A few restaurants that serve Western style food (about 100 baht for a burger) If we do cook something then it is usually to cook in a larger group of teachers. Including 7/11 snacks I pay on average 100-250B a day for food and drink if I'm at home in Mai Sai.
Nightlife and drinking
There isn't much night life in Mae Sai, but I don't mind that too much. If I do go out for a beer then a large Leo will probably be 70 or 80 baht. Sitting with others teachers from the school having a beer at the apartments cost 55 baht a beer from 7/11. I go out in Chiang Rai once every 3 or 4 weeks with teachers who live there, and one night will cost me about 600 baht
Books, computers
I don't spend any money on this really. There is a nice second hand trade in book shop in Chiang Rai where I have exchanged books and spent a maximum of 150 baht over the year.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Comfortable and happy while saving. We could live more extravagantly if we wished, but instead we save our money to spend on travel during our holidays.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Rent and eating out are very cheap.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
If you did not want to save any money but still wanted to ensure you always had funds for visa extensions and unexpected costs, while occasionally treating yourself to western comforts or a night out, 20,000 should be enough, but 25,000 would be more comfortable.
Phil's analysis and comment
James lives in a one-room apartment with his Thai partner. They are usually referred to as studio apartments and in England we often give them the rather unglamorous title of 'bedsits'. You really need to get along with someone if two of you are going to share such a confined space - or work different shifts perhaps.
I'm sure James is a fine fellow but his lifestyle is just not for me, despite the fact that he lives and works in one of the most beautiful areas of Thailand. However, some may consider sitting around on the floor cross-legged and sipping large Leos with a bunch of other teachers part of the exotic adventure. I don't know.
When I planned the questions for these cost of living surveys many years ago, I wasn't interested in a teacher's age. Perhaps I felt it was too much of an intrusion. However, this is one of those surveys where I would love to know how old the writer is. If James was in his early to mid twenties, then his lifestyle is one I can imagine someone 'tolerating' for several years but not so much for a guy perhaps in his forties or older.
Everything that James mentions above I have done and experienced myself - the small, shared studio apartment, the living on about 400 baht a day, the diet of cheap streetfood meals, the occasional Western splurge and the saving up for a weekend away. In your twenties you're just grateful to be living in Thailand. But I think it's natural to seek out a better standard of living and a few more creature comforts as you get older.
Sarah
Working in Chiang Mai
Monthly Earnings 33,000 - 59,000 baht a month
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn 28,000 - 34,000 via my hourly contract with the university + flexible, paid office hours) Plus 5,000 - 25,000 baht a month from private local gigs: professional editing, curriculum/program design and consultation, and NES teacher recruitment)
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
If I were choosing to save, I could realistically save 20,000 baht out of just my university paycheck (considering that it is a month I do not have any extra free-lance projects) - but all of my "gain" is being invested into opening the Chiang Mai Community House - a dream project of mine to provide FREE arts and education programs for the local community.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 5,500 for a gorgeous two-floor traditional house with a terrace on each end of the upstairs, privately tucked within a wraparound, well-cared for garden, and naturally shaded by a variety of trees. (I only pay 2,750 for rent, as I share all my living expenses with my husband)
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
600 baht, which includes fuel for motorbike, commute to work. I have a 32 kilometre round-trip (4 days per week) plus a dozen or less kilometres for monthly errands
Utility bills
This is the most complex category for me. Home is 1500 baht (electricity, water, wifi) Home improvements = 50,000฿ (I bought a new air conditioner, refrigerator, windows, and had some remodeling done to suit my preferences upon moving in this house in March 2016.) Community house expenses are rent: 8,000 baht. Utilities: 2,000 baht. Remodeling: 24,000 baht (and still more to come, it's a work in progress);
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
My husband and I shop at our local street market and cook at home. He pays for our dining expenses but being the farang, I spend about 1,500 baht on Western treats and eating out Western-style with friends. I know where the best 5 baht Thai teas are and where to get the best somtam and khao soi for 25 baht. My trees are overflowing with lemons, mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, and bananas - and often my Kuhn Mae will bring some great cooked meals over so I'd say I'm quite lucky.
Nightlife and drinking
Since my community house is my "baby" and I tend to work on several private contracts simultaneously, I do not partake in the night life. I made sure to live it up in Bangkok last year, while I lived there, but now as I enter my 30's and am married, my priorities have shifted and I get a lot more satisfaction out of realizing my dreams and serving the community. I even gave up smoking and drinking completely in order to make this transition a reality.
Books, computers
Books I happily receive for free from colleagues that are outbound. Computer was as a birthday present to myself I bought a new iPad Air 64gb for 24k; and I pay 53 baht/month for my website.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
See Phil's comment section below.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food, massage, beauty treatments, sunshine, handicrafts, art, education, patience, nature and housing.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
In my opinion, to survive - nothing other than making genuine connections with the locals. Seriously - TIT. But for those just starting out, you can survive on 15k-20k anywhere (for better or worse - it's up to you; and there are so many ways to earn more when you desire to make a sacrifice of your time)
Phil's analysis and comment
Sarah's response to the 'summarize your standard of living' question was quite lengthy and so wouldn't fit into the field. This was her answer,
My standard of living is incredible. I have happily adopted a more frugal and simple lifestyle due to cost of living being incomparable to the USA.
I do share my expenses with my husband, which maximizes my potential standard of living. The first 10 months in Thailand I lived in Bangkok and earned more (35K salary + 14k extra lessons) and I enjoyed trips to Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Samed, Koh Phangan, plus the holiday to Chiang Mai which convinced me I'd found HOME.
I worked really hard as a brand new teacher and left Bangkok with a reputation that has now resulted in ample private contracts directly with private schools, clubs, colleges, and now connecting me to the locals in my neighborhood who are all helping to give life to the Chiang Mai Community House.
My health and happiness has radically improved the more I focus on what is essential to me, and redirect extra finances into supporting the sustenance of just that. This does mean that I cannot predict when my visit back home will be, but the flip side is that my family and friends back home are so inspired by what I'm working on that they are flying out here to visit. So it's really win-win all around.
Showing 5 Cost of Living surveys out of 443 total
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