Cost of living in Bangkok

Thailand · Southeast Asia · THB · Very cheap

For long-stay travellers and remote workers in Bangkok, the realistic monthly figure is roughly $2,976 all-in. That assumes a long-stay rental (~60% of nightly mid-range accommodation), local food prices, public transit and miscellaneous — but excludes flights, visas, and tourist-style activities. For a comparable short-trip figure, see the Bangkok travel cost page.

Monthly breakdown

Line itemMonthly (USD)
Long-stay rent equivalent$1,386
Food (eating out + groceries mix)$960
Local transport$300
Miscellaneous$330
All-in monthly$2,976

Local currency: THB. FX snapshot: 2025-05.

Short-trip context

For comparison, a week-long tourist visit at the mid-range tier in shoulder season runs roughly $1,057 for one person — a much higher per-day rate than the long-stay number above, because hotels charge nightly rates, tourists rely on taxis more, and short-trip activities are bundled into every day.

  • Tourist day rate (mid-range, shoulder): $151/day
  • Long-stay implied day rate: $99/day

Comparable cities

  • Cheaper alternative: Bali — ~$2,508/mo
  • Similar cost: Manila — ~$2,976/mo
  • Pricier alternative: Amman — ~$3,012/mo