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Cost of Living in Ko Samui

Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

▼ -13% vs Thailand average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)฿16,196 ($444)
Couple, monthly฿29,057 ($796)
Family of four, monthly฿37,878 ($1,038)

Estimated Prices in Ko Samui

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant฿163 ($4.46)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range฿652 ($17.86)per meal
Cappuccino฿48.88 ($1.34)each
Monthly groceries (single person)฿3,693 ($101)per month
Monthly public transport pass฿597 ($16.37)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment฿1,575 ($43.15)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)฿456 ($12.50)per month
Fitness club membership฿456 ($12.50)per month
Cinema ticket฿119 ($3.27)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre฿7,667 ($210)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre฿5,334 ($146)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre฿16,001 ($438)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ko Samui is ฿22,064 ($605) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ฿16,196 ($444) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ฿21,055 ($577) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (฿5,334 ($146)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ko Samui

Ko Samui vs BangkokKo Samui vs Chiang MaiKo Samui vs Nakhon RatchasimaKo Samui vs Khon KaenKo Samui vs Hat YaiKo Samui vs Phatthaya

Nearby Cities

Don Sak

35 km away · Surat Thani

Kanchanadit

65 km away · Surat Thani

Surat Thani

79 km away · Surat Thani

Tha Chang

87 km away · Surat Thani

Ban Tha Kham

90 km away · Surat Thani

Ban Na San

102 km away · Surat Thani

Lang Suan

106 km away · Chumphon

Ban Pak Phun

109 km away · Nakhon Si Thammarat

Other Major Cities in Thailand

Bangkok

Krung Thep Maha Nakhon · pop. 18,007,000

฿23,291 ($638) / mo

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai · pop. 1,198,000

฿20,194 ($553) / mo

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima · pop. 466,098

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen · pop. 416,988

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Hat Yai

Songkhla · pop. 406,513

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phatthaya

Chon Buri · pop. 351,391

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok · pop. 281,929

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phuket

Phuket · pop. 252,515

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Living in Ko Samui

Ko Samui is one of the key cities in Thailand. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ฿16,196 ($444), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ฿5,334 ($146) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ฿37,878 ($1,038) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ฿29,057 ($796) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ko Samui is ฿22,064 ($605). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ฿21,055 ($577) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ko Samui expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ฿16,196 ($444) per month in Ko Samui including rent outside the city centre. That is 13% less than the national average for Thailand.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ko Samui?
A net salary of around ฿21,055 ($577) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ko Samui with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ko Samui is ฿22,064 ($605).
How much is rent in Ko Samui?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ฿7,667 ($210) per month in the city centre and ฿5,334 ($146) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ฿16,001 ($438).
Is Ko Samui cheaper than Thailand on average?
Yes — Ko Samui is estimated to be about 13% cheaper than the Thailand average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Ko Samui?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ฿3,693 ($101) in Ko Samui. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ฿163 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ฿49 ($1).
How do transport costs in Ko Samui compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ko Samui is estimated at ฿597 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ko Samui are estimates based on Thailand national averages adjusted for city size. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.