Issue 6 | Feature brought to you by Dot Property
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 downtown Bangkok, a beach house in Koh Samui or mountain-view villa in down town Chiang Rai, the cost of different real estate will vary. At Dot Property, 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 about 18,000THB, which is approximately 552USD; 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 77USD. 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
For something a little more happening than Chiang Rai, its big-brother city, Chiang Mai might be a better option. Chiang Mai is one of the biggest cities in Thailand but still has the laid back vibe that’s quite different than Bangkok. If you’re looking to settle into Chiang Mai, it’ll cost you around 11,500THB (377 USD) for a down town location, or 6,500THB (200 USD) if you don’t mind living a little outside of the main area.
Beach Locations are Reasonable
The stunning beaches in Thailand may be the most popular thing that causes foreigners to move to the Land of Smiles. Buyers smile as well when they realize how little it costs to buy or rent a beach property. In both Hua Hin and Koh Samui, two of the most famous beach towns in the country, you can rent out a one bedroom apartment for around of 8,500THB; right around 250USD per month. Give or take a couple thousand baht and you’ll be in a similar situation in the outskirts of Pattaya and Phuket.
