- Comparing the cost of real estate in Thailand, from most expensive to least expensive cities.
As it is true for any country, within Thailand there is a drastic difference in the average cost of real estate from city to city. Depending on if you want to rent a condo in central Bangkok, find a beach house in Koh Samui or settle into a mountain-view house in down town Chiang Rai, you will most likely be paying very different prices for your chosen real estate.
We’ve sourced our own country-wide listings, as well as gathered some helpful data about the cost of real estate in Thailand to provide you with this overview and a guideline to help you choose what city you want to look for real estate.
Bangkok Has Everything, Including Expensive Apartments
Bangkok is a bustling metropolis with a huge expat community, international corporations, world class hotels, and an abundance of theatres and restaurants, so it’s no wonder that the capital city would be the most expensive place to live in Thailand. The average rent for a one bedroom apartment in the heart of Bangkok is 22,000THB, which is approximately $670; a cost that is comparable to a one bedroom apartment in a small American or European town. While this figure is still very reasonable for the cost of living in a major city, it may not be the best option if you’re specifically seeking out Thailand as a place with a low cost of living. Then again, if you’re looking to live a life of urban luxury, Bangkok is quite reasonable.
Chiang Rai is Cheap
On the extreme other end of the spectrum, living near much smaller city such as Chiang Rai can get you a one bedroom apartment just outside of the main city for an average of 2,500THB, which is approximately $75! This is a price that’s virtually unheard of in any American or European town. In fact, when researched, the least expensive one bedroom apartment in America can be found in Daviess County, Kentucky for no less than $410. Chiang Rai, although a small city is still a city with a downtown area, bars, restaurants and a large expat community; thus a great option for a foreigner to choose as a place to live in Thailand.
The Mountainous Middle Ground of Chiang Mai
If you’re looking for something a little more happening than Chiang Rai, you can check out its big-brother city, Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is one of the biggest cities in Thailand, but as it’s surrounded by the tallest mountains in the country, it still has the laid back vibe that many foreigners love about Thailand—quite different than the urban jungle of Bangkok. If you’re looking to settle into Chiang Mai, it’ll cost you around 8,700THB ($264) for a down town location, or 4,372THB ($132) if you don’t mind living a little outside of the main area.
Beach Locations are Still Very Reasonably Priced in Thailand
Thailand’s world renowned beaches are some of the most popular reasons expats choose to relocate to the land of smiles. You’ll most likely be smiling as well when you realize how little you’ll have to spend to get a property to buy or rent in a beach town. In Phuket, one of the most famously beautiful beach areas in the country, you can rent out a one bedroom apartment for an average of 8,000THB; less than $245 per month, as long as you don’t need to live in the heart of the city. And when you’re in an area as naturally beautiful as Phuket, chances are you won’t want a down town rental anyway. This price is also fairly consistent with the outskirts of Pattaya and Hua Hin, and will cost you only a couple thousand baht more on the popular island of Koh Samui.
Hopefully you’ve found this helpful in identifying which city in Thailand is best for you to live. If you’re now ready to start looking for apartments or condos for rent in Thailand, check out the listings on Thailand-Property.com.
