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The Realistic Cost to Live in Thailand

Here’s a realistic monthly cost breakdown for a retiree expat on a budget living in Thailand in 2025. This assumes a modest but comfortable lifestyle in places like Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, or some parts of Bangkok (not the most expensive areas). Prices are in USD with rough Thai Baht conversions (1 USD ≈ 36 THB in mid-2025). Housing is often the biggest expense. A small furnished one-bedroom apartment in Chiang Mai typically costs between $250 and $400 per month, while a similar setup in the outskirts of Bangkok can range from $300 to $500. These usually include basic furniture and air conditioning. Utilities such as electricity, water, and trash can cost around $60 to $100, depending on air conditioning usage. Internet and mobile services are relatively inexpensive, running about $15 to $25 monthly. Altogether, monthly housing costs typically total between $325 and $625. 0:00 How Much Does It Cost? 1:15 Apartment Cost 3:10 Groceries 4:55 Restaurants 6:00 Transportation Costs 7:44 Healthcare Insurance 8:55 Fun Money 10:00 Total Budget Groceries are also affordable if you shop locally. A basic monthly grocery bill, including rice, eggs, vegetables, pork, noodles, and fruit, usually comes to around $150 to $250. Buying Western goods like cheese, wine, or cereal will increase your food costs. Eating out is one of the perks of living in Thailand. Street food meals cost around $1.50 to $3, while a simple Thai restaurant meal can range from $3 to $6. If you choose to eat at a Western-style restaurant once or twice a week, expect to pay $8 to $15 per meal. For someone eating out regularly but modestly, a monthly budget of $150 to $200 should suffice. Transportation costs vary depending on your mode of travel. Using local options such as songthaews, buses, or motorbike taxis might cost $20 to $50 a month. Renting a motorbike can cost between $60 and $100, with gas and maintenance adding another $20 to $40. Occasional Grab or taxi rides may add $10 to $30 more. All in, transportation typically runs between $40 and $120 monthly. Healthcare is generally affordable. Basic Thai health insurance costs around $50 to $100 per month, while international coverage can be significantly more expensive, ranging from $150 to $300 or more. Walk-in clinic visits without insurance usually cost $10 to $30, and dental check-ups or cleanings come in at $20 to $40. A budget of $50 to $150 can cover basic healthcare needs. Entertainment and leisure options are budget-friendly. Monthly expenses might include massages (around $12 to $20 each), occasional movies, cafes, or bar visits ($50 to $100), and short local trips or tours costing $25 to $75 every couple of months. Expect to spend about $50 to $100 on entertainment monthly. Other miscellaneous expenses include laundry, clothing, toiletries ($20 to $50), visa renewal fees (averaged out to $10 to $25 monthly), and occasional unexpected costs like minor repairs or gifts ($20 to $50). This category typically adds another $50 to $125 to your budget. Putting it all together, here’s a typical monthly budget range: Housing and utilities: $325 to $625 Food (groceries and eating out): $300 to $450 Transportation: $40 to $120 Healthcare: $50 to $150 Entertainment: $50 to $100 Miscellaneous: $50 to $125 This gives a total monthly budget range of approximately $815 to $1,570. In summary, a retired expat on a budget can live comfortably in Thailand for about $900 to $1,300 per month, especially in areas outside central Bangkok or tourist-heavy islands. You'll enjoy good food, affordable healthcare, and a relaxed lifestyle, though indulgences in Western goods or frequent travel can push your budget higher.