Cost of living in Bangkok

🇹🇭 Thailand · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.

Wondering how far your salary goes in Bangkok? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

1-bed apartment (center)฿25,000–40,000 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurant฿250–500
Street-food plate฿50–80
Coffee฿60–100
Est. single-person monthly฿30,000–45,000 (excl. rent)

Good to know

Population
~10.7 million (metro)
Official language
Thai (English in business/tourism)
Currency
Thai Baht (THB / ฿)
Work week
Monday–Friday
Power plug
Types A/B/C, 220V
Tipping
Not expected; rounding up is kind

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Bangkok checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.

Plan your move to Bangkok

A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.