Bangkok vs Koh Samui

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Bangkok is roughly 8% more affordable than Koh Samui (index 25 vs 27, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Bangkok
More affordable overall
8% cheaper than Koh Samui · Cost index: 25 vs 27

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

25✓Cost Index27
1,100✓Median Income /mo840
68Safety Index68
15Income Tax %5✓
141✓Internet (Mbps)85
180✓Coworking /mo195

Price Breakdown

BangkokCategoryKoh Samui
$486/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
30% cheaper →
$690/month
$2.1/liter
Meal for One
50% ← cheaper
$1.05/liter
$5.5/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
24% ← cheaper
$4.2/meal
$36/month
Monthly Transit Pass
11% ← cheaper
$32/month
$90/month
Utilities (Monthly)
7% ← cheaper
$84/month
$42/visit
Doctor Visit
25% cheaper →
$56/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Bangkok

Internet141 Mbps
Coworking$180/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability42/100

Koh Samui

Internet85 Mbps
Coworking$195/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability55/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bangkok cheaper than Koh Samui?

Bangkok is cheaper than Koh Samui. Bangkok has a cost of living index of 25/100 compared to 27/100 for Koh Samui (New York = 100), making it roughly 8% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Bangkok than Koh Samui?

Bangkok is approximately 8% cheaper than Koh Samui based on cost index scores (25 vs 27, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Koh Samui could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,750/month in Bangkok.

What is the rent comparison between Bangkok and Koh Samui?

In Bangkok, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $486/month. In Koh Samui, the equivalent is around $690/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Bangkok or Koh Samui?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Bangkok offers 141 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$180/month. Koh Samui offers 85 Mbps and coworking at ~$195/month. Bangkok has a cost advantage of 8%.

What is the average income in Bangkok vs Koh Samui?

The median net monthly salary in Bangkok is approximately $1,100 USD, compared to $840 USD in Koh Samui.

Compare Bangkok with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Bangkok wins or loses.

Cities that cost about the same as Bangkok

Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed