Cost of Living in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the largest cities in Southeast Asia. Unlike the country’s famous resorts, the capital offers its residents a number of opportunities to make money and relax. At the same time, Bangkok is a popular tourist destination. People come here from all over the world. Read on to find out more about the cost of living in Bangkok in 2023.

• Real Estate
• Food
• Transport
• Healthcare
• Education
• Entertainment
• Prices of Other Goods and Services

Real Estate

Choosing a rental property 

It is relatively too cheap to rent a property in the capital of Thailand compared with most popular tourist cities in Europe. However, you should also bear in mind local specifics. The following types of properties can be let in the city: flats in condominiums and apartments. These options differ not only in the form of real estate, but also in the approaches adopted to the letting of these properties.

Flats in condominiums usually have several rooms, while complexes often offer various amenities, such as a gym or a swimming pool. You can find such flats on aggregator websites, through an agency or directly by asking about available housing at the reception of the building you find interesting. It is often the case that these flats are being let out by their owners and not by agents, which may result in certain difficulties in communication (not all Thais are fluent in English). The owners tend to let them for long periods: it makes no economic sense for an individual to constantly change tenants, drawing up the respective tenancy agreements and completing other paperwork each time. That is why tenancy agreements tend to be concluded for six months or a year.

By contrast apartments are available for short-term lets, sometimes even on a daily basis. This type of real estate is more like a hotel room. All the premises in a building are owned by an individual or landlord company. Such premises usually provide services such as cleaning, changes of bedlinen, dry cleaning, etc. However, there are some drawbacks. For example, some of them prohibit cooking. They may not even have a kitchen as they were originally designed as properties for short-term lets. 

Rental prices in different areas of Bangkok

If you want to settle in Bangkok, it is important that you decide where you want to live and only start your search for a suitable property after you have done this. In most cases, you will have to do it in person rather than online. It can be challenging to look for real estate in Bangkok online: many condominiums do not have websites and do not post photos on aggregators, thereby rendering online booking either inconvenient or even impossible.

The Sukhumvit area is traditionally perceived to be the centre of Bangkok’s tourist life. This is where most travellers stay when they first come to this city. Life is bustling here day and night. There are restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels in Sukhumvit. This is the place where many adult establishments are located. However, these are drawbacks, rather than advantages for permanent residents. 

An elevated train line runs through Sukhumvit. As a result, you can easily get home from any part of the city. If you lead an active life, but do not own a car, try looking for housing around Asok station, which is connected to the train line by a passageway. However, public transport in Sukhumvit is packed during rush hour, while there are major traffic jams on the roads. Naturally these factors cause considerable discomfort to everyone living here.

Rental prices in Sukhumvit are high compared to other areas: up to THB 350,000 (USD 9,666.3) per month for a luxury apartment with four bedrooms and five bathrooms. A simpler one bedroom flat in a condominium costs THB 29,000 (USD 800.92).

Silom/Sathorn is primarily a business district which takes its name from the two roads running through the area. Despite the large number of office buildings, you can also find public gardens and natural spots that are so rare for a metropolis, for example, the famous Lumpini Park. The area also has underground and overground stations making it convenient for people who do not have a car or prefer taking public transport. As the district is very popular with foreigners, it tends to be hard to rent a flat in a condominium here. Apartments with security and hotel services are more common.

In exchange for THB 15,000 (USD 414.27) per month, you can rent a small studio in Silom. If you prefer a four bedroom penthouse with city views, you will have to pay THB 300,000 (USD 8,285.4) per month.

Anyone wanting to live in a trendy location will like the Siam district. Here you will find the city’s main shops and boutiques, several shopping centres, fancy restaurants and cafes, as well as a BTS Skytrain station.

It will cost on average THB 20,000 (USD 552.36) per month to rent one bedroom flats in a condominium in Siam. You can also rent a detached house with two bedrooms for THB 59,000 (USD 1,629.46) per month.

You will be able to choose from a wide range of flats in condominiums in the Riverside district which is located near the Chao Phraya River. Public transportation consists primarily of boats which can take the residents to the nearest underground or BTS Skytrain station.

In Riverside, you can rent an unfurnished studio flat for BHT 15,000 (USD 414.27) per month, or a three room flat overlooking the park area for BHT 33,000 baht (USD 911.39) per month.

Many migrants choose the Pratunam district for long-term lets. While this place is less popular with tourists, it still offers well-developed infrastructure, cafes and shops. Pratunam is also located in the city centre, and you can quickly reach other districts from here.

A wide selection of properties are available for rent in Pratunam. You can rent a simple studio for a month for THB 13,000 (USD 359.03) and a luxury penthouse with a city view for THB 450,000 (USD 12,428.1) per month.

The cheapest option is to rent a studio with the minimum amount of furniture. Such flats cost from THB 3,000 to 3,500 (USD 82.85 to 96.66) per month.

Cost of buying a property

Studios remain the cheapest option if you want to buy a property. Prices start at THB 200,000 to 270,000 (USD 5,523.6 to 7,456.86) for an unfurnished flat. If it has a sofa, bed and a closet, the price rises immediately up to THB 520,000 (USD 14,361.36). You will have to pay THB 700,000 to 800,000 to buy a two bedroom flat.

Food

Thailand is widely known as one of the world’s culinary capitals, offering exotic and diverse cuisine to meet every taste and budget. There is a wide range of cuisines in Bangkok: you can find establishments offering both Asian and European dishes. Despite the abundance of expensive restaurants, the metropolis is above all known for its street food culture where you can try a variety of exotic seafood and fruits and have a hearty meal of Pad Thai - fried rice noodles with your choice of fillings for just THB 50 (USD 1.37). In a budget restaurant, a full dinner for two will cost on average THB 1,000 (USD 27.43). 

In addition to local food outlets and chains, all international fast food franchises are represented in Bangkok: McDonald's, Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, and others. The average price of a combo meal at one of these chains is THB 200 (USD 5.49).

Supermarkets offer a wide selection of products, while you can find in city markets fresh fruit and vegetables at a reasonable price. A loaf of bread costs about THB 48.8 (USD 1.34), a small bottle of water THB 12.7 (USD 0.35), and a litre of milk THB 238 (USD 6.53 You will have to pay THB 700 (USD 19.2) for a middling bottle of wine. 

The table below presents the average prices of basic food products in Bangkok supermarkets. The prices were converted into US dollars at official exchange rates in September 2023.

Transport

Due to the large concentration of the local population and the constant influx of tourists, public transport in Bangkok is packed - and this is a significant urban problem. At the same time, there are several ways to move around the city without a car.

1. Bus. The extensive bus network covers almost the entire city: you can explore it on special maps which you can buy in the popular 7 Eleven shops. Buses run from 5:00 AM until 11:00 PM. If you choose this type of transport, you will have to get a handle on the colour system. Buses have different colours and fares: white and red buses with a white stripe are cheapest at THB 8, while blue, white and yellow/orange buses are the most expensive with fares starting at THB 13.
   It is worth noting here that buses in Bangkok do not have fixed stops; passengers can get on and off at any spot along the route.
2. Tuk Tuks. A motorcycle with an adapted cabin is an Asian variation of a taxi. However, tuk tuks do not have meters, and the price is up to the driver. In most cases, a short trip around the city costs THB 30 (USD 0.83), but can reach up to THB 200 to 300 (USD 5.52 to 8.29) depending on the time of day, the date, the duration of the trip, the number of passengers, etc. 
3. Motorbike taxi. This is one of the most popular modes of transportation in Bangkok, and at the same time the most dangerous option. At the same time, it enables you to reach your destination quickly. The cost of a trip by motorbike taxi starts at THB 10 (USD 0.27).
4. BTS Skytrain (overground). The Bangkok railway was built in 1999. Back then it helped unclog the city streets. The service runs from 6:30 AM to midnight. The fare depends on the line (there are three lines) and the number of stops and starts at THB 16 (USD 0.44). It is important to keep the ticket for the entire trip as the final payment is charged when you exit the station.
   You can also buy one-day tickets: an unlimited pass for the whole day costs THB 150 (USD 4.14). The card costs THB 100, with THB 50 deposited at the time of purchase.
5. Underground. There has been an underground in Bangkok since 2004. Here too the cost of a ticket depends on the number of stations: one stage between stations is THB 16 (USD 0.44). Each subsequent stage increases the cost by THB 2/3. In addition to single-use tickets, you can also purchase a day pass for THB 140 (USD 3.87) or a travel card that you can top up for THB 230 (USD 6.35).
6. River transportation. Anyone living near Bangkok’s rivers may prefer to travel by water transport to avoid traffic jams. A whole network of ferries runs on a fixed schedule. On average a ferry trip costs about THB 60 (USD 1.66).
   

Healthcare

Thailand in general and Bangkok in particular are known for their high level of health services, especially when it comes to surgery. Many foreigners come to the country specifically to have plastic, cosmetic or dental surgery. 

Foreigners who permanently reside in Thailand, but do not work there, can take out local health insurance. The cost of the insurance depends on the age and health of the client. For example, a basic programme for someone aged 30-35, including consultations with a general practitioner and specialist physicians, and, if necessary, hospital treatment, can cost up to THB 50,000 (USD 1,380.9) per year. 

There is no such service as home visits, and an ambulance will only turn up in emergencies (if there is a major risk of a fatality). It costs about THB 2,000 (USD 55.24) to call an ambulance. In all other cases, you will have to make your own way to a hospital.

Education

Expats coming to Bangkok with children can choose from a wide range of pre-schools and schools. Nursery schools accept children from the age of two. Foreign children mostly go to private schools, which tend to be expensive.

One month at a good nursery school costs around THB 23,500 (USD 649.02), while a year at an international primary school costs around THB 460,000 (USD 12,704.28).

Thailand’s higher education system is represented by a number of universities: public, private and international universities. Tuition fees normally start at THB 15,000 (USD 414.27) per semester.

Entertainment

Bangkok is a large tourist city where you can find entertainment for any taste. There are extensive park areas and promenades for walking, as well as convenient beaches. Areas like Sukhumvit have a vibrant nightlife with clubs, bars and restaurants for every taste and budget. 

You will also find classic entertainment options, such as cinemas: one ticket costs approximately THB 270 (USD 7.46). For sports enthusiasts, the city has jogging and cycling paths, as well as courts for team sports. It costs on average THB 420 (USD 11.6) to rent a tennis court for one hour at the weekend.

Prices of Other Goods and Services

The table below presents the prices of goods and services not mentioned earlier. Prices have been converted into US dollars at official exchange rates in September 2023.

In a Nutshell

Bangkok stands out favourably compared to many other Asian capitals: housing and food prices are relatively low, while the city infrastructure is developed.

According to the Numbeo index, the cost of living in Bangkok for a family of four is THB 81,420 (USD 2,230) per month. Please note that this amount does not include housing costs - you can add about THB 25,000 (USD 690) for renting a flat. The total cost equals about THB 106,000 (USD 2,920) per month.

Cover photo: Peerapon Chantharainthron (Unsplash)