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How much should I budget for living costs in Chiang Mai, Thailand for my wife and me?
Sep 8, 2024
2 years ago
Jared *******
ORIGINAL POSTERTo the guys who are already living in Thailand.
I am trying to some up how much I should be budgeting on spending per month on livings costs more or less.So I will be renting a house probably around Chiang Mai area and my wife will be with me.It would be very helpful if people in a similar situation could tell me more or less how much do you find is a comfortable amount of money to be living on?That’s including rent and still being able to go out and do some touristy things? I will also be buying a car so including gas prices.I know Thailand is very affordable but I just wanted to get a rough idea as I have only been on holiday and probably was over spending.
I am trying to some up how much I should be budgeting on spending per month on livings costs more or less.So I will be renting a house probably around Chiang Mai area and my wife will be with me.It would be very helpful if people in a similar situation could tell me more or less how much do you find is a comfortable amount of money to be living on?That’s including rent and still being able to go out and do some touristy things? I will also be buying a car so including gas prices.I know Thailand is very affordable but I just wanted to get a rough idea as I have only been on holiday and probably was over spending.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Expatriates in Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai, provide diverse insights into monthly living costs. Responses vary significantly, suggesting a range from 30,000 to 150,000 baht per month depending on lifestyle choices and spending habits. Factors influencing the budget include rental costs, transportation (with opinions on car ownership versus alternative transport), dining preferences, and miscellaneous expenses. Recommendations often advise budgeting around 65,000 baht as a comfortable average, while some believe 80,000 to 100,000 baht is more realistic for a couple wanting a moderately active lifestyle. Numerous participants also suggest that overall spending can greatly depend on personal habits and lifestyle choices. For those new to Thailand, observing expenses over a few months is advised to better understand personal financial needs.
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Janie ****************
I don’t think you need a car . Get Grab or Bolt first.
Tulip ********
You can live on very little if you never plan on never getting sick.
John *********
@Tulip *******
Lol wish you could plan that ha ha👍Reply to
John *********
Reply
Marc *******
You need
*****
Bht every month for livingDouglas *******
$80,000 to $100,000 baht per month with rent and health insurance included. Should be OK.
Joe *****
U need 3000 - 4000 if u are 50+ and want a girlfriend...if no gf or partner than 2000 is fine
Vitico ********
Unless you are living out in the countryside a car is not worth it, just use public transportation and taxis and the car apps. For a house (as opposed to an apartment) you will probably spend 300-500 US dollars a month. Living a simple life and occasionally touristy outing will probably run you 1500-2000 USD a month
Charles **********
If you’re buying a car there keep in mind no bank there will finance a loan unless you have a job there with regular income. Buying with cash should be no problem. You need to get a Thai drivers license if you plan a long stay and live there. Good luck.
Stuey ******
2 k. A month you will be having a nice life
Greg ******
Whatever your budget is, you can make it work, or fail.
Todd *********
@Greg *****
I've made it work with 15k for the month more than a few times lol failing wasn't an option and I got really creative with mama noodles and eggs.Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Henrik *****
Start by familiarizing you much more about Thailand, before you go on with those plans.
Make a testrun, at least 3 months to find out how much you spend.
Everyday life is very different from holiday life.
You are not ready to take the plunge yet.
You are most likely not able to get a workpermit, so have to figure out how you will finance a life in Thailand.
Make a testrun, at least 3 months to find out how much you spend.
Everyday life is very different from holiday life.
You are not ready to take the plunge yet.
You are most likely not able to get a workpermit, so have to figure out how you will finance a life in Thailand.
Brent ********
My old man lived extremely comfortable and socially on 40,000B P/M.
He also saved and did quite some travel back here to Oz and various parts of south east Asia.
If you can control your spending it’s more than affordable to live in the Kingdom.
He also saved and did quite some travel back here to Oz and various parts of south east Asia.
If you can control your spending it’s more than affordable to live in the Kingdom.
Julius *********
60,000THB/mo
Gaël **********
500 to
*****
usd per month depending on how you liveJoseba ********
Is funny reading all this comments, most of these ppl didn’t even visit thailand lol
You can spend what you want, in CM starting from 20k-25k/moth per person..
You can spend what you want, in CM starting from 20k-25k/moth per person..
John *********
Why so much i thoght Thailand was quite a bit cheaper i can live comfortable in uk for less than
*****
bhat a month!Joe *****
@John ********
yeah but your in uk hahah if u ra couple maybe uk ok but if u want female company affordable..Thailand will be betterReply to
Joe *****
Reply
Rok ********
“my wife will be with me” will help greatly with budgeting; single men get bankrupted in girlie bars. I would agree with others that 65,000 baht is a sensible budget (or anything between 40-80k). When considering CM do pay a great attention to agricultural burning season as you may need to have extended holidays in the south between February and April due to the smoke. It has been bad … very bad in recent years (anywhere BKK and north of BKK…. It is real health hazard and even civil servants were asked to work from home last February and March).
Karim ***************
Hi Jared. Just as scrolling and reading your post, I’m watching this video by Daz, from everything Pattaya. He does yearly videos of cost of living expenses. Here is his most recent… check out other videos as well to get an idea of budgets.
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Chris *******
Here is a reasonably accurate way to compare your current home vs cities or areas.
I can say that we live very comfortably on about 70k per month in Phuket.
But this is after all major purchases.
Housing purchase or deposits
Motorbikes
Car
Furniture and electronics
I can say that we live very comfortably on about 70k per month in Phuket.
But this is after all major purchases.
Housing purchase or deposits
Motorbikes
Car
Furniture and electronics
Kenneth *******
You can live a good life if you have at least 2,000,000 Baht that you can keep for emergencies only and 50,000 Baht per month. // If you want an active nightlife then you will need more.
Yoni *******
Rent could be 8000 a month or
You could buy a car for 80,000 baht or 800,000 baht
You could only eat at markets or order expensive burgers and pizza on grab 3 times a day.
Up to you. Literally.
*****
month. You could buy a car for 80,000 baht or 800,000 baht
You could only eat at markets or order expensive burgers and pizza on grab 3 times a day.
Up to you. Literally.
Brian *******
$1500 takes care of 2 people. rent, electric, food, drinks, taxis.
Phil ******
@Jared ******
฿80,000 and not in a tourist spot. But it really depends on how much you spendRon ********
Numbeo.com
Plug in a city, or ever two cities for a comparison.
Many answers there to your questions.
Plug in a city, or ever two cities for a comparison.
Many answers there to your questions.
Brad *******
Regarding the car debate, think twice. If you get into a slight accident, youre at a huge disadvantage with a foreign legal and insurance system where you don't, I assume, speak the language.
Imho, it's a big risk with little reward to own a car in Thailand.
It's a place where you either use public transit, or ride a motorbike for short distances. It's not like Europe or the US where you drive your own enormous vehicle all over the continent.
Imho, it's a big risk with little reward to own a car in Thailand.
It's a place where you either use public transit, or ride a motorbike for short distances. It's not like Europe or the US where you drive your own enormous vehicle all over the continent.
Stuart ***********
@Brad ******
IMO it's the other way round. Riding a motorcycle is like suicide here as they have the same status on the road as a rat! I have seen multiple accidents, always involving motorcycles and it is always the motorcyclist that has the worst experience (ambulance ride). I have driven 50,000km in my car in Thailand over the past 2 and ***
years and have full insurance cover if I ever need it. Thailand roads are easy to drive, even Bangkok is not that bad. I live in Hua Hin and if I want a change of scenery it's easy to drive to Phuket or Krabi for example.Brad *******
@Stuart **********
I agree motorbikes can be dangerous, but typically it's due to reckless driving. The notion of driving vast distances instead of using transit is a western one. I'll pass.Reply to
Brad *******
Reply
Martin *********
With all the conflicting advice, it's probably best to go for 90 days and live as you would expect to, then you will have a rough idea of cost
Ivan ******
I would watch the (crashing) stock marked before I would be thinking bout relocating. Its not looking good atm
Ivan ******
@Tim **********
it has everything to do with everything. If the US goes down, a whole lot of shit is going down with it.Michael ***********
@Ivan *****
4 companies own the US stock market .. fear-mongering.. lolTim ***********
@Ivan *****
so you should stay there and go down with it? How would moving to Thailand for a great life not be a good idea in that situation?Reply to
Tim ***********
Reply
Tim ***********
@Ivan *****
this doesn't make sense....explain how a crashing stock market has anything to do with relocating to a more affordable country where cost of living is lower than what you are currently experiencing?Reply to
Tim ***********
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Bob **********
100,000-150,000 should do it the car is another thing
Tim ***********
Not to be unhelpful but no one can really answer this for you because it comes down to you, your interests, and what you spend. It can range from <$1000 - $10k / month - all are possible in Thailand. Just come and track every expense you have for 1-3 months and you will get a good idea after that. In Bangkok, I spent no more than 100,000 Baht / month. Average would be 75k baht.
David ********
@Tim **********
exactly best to rent everything when you first come to live here. Allows you to settle in and you can see what you like and don't like them make some permanent arrangements. So many basic things to do first and it's not like at home drivers license,Thai id etc. many make the mistake of big spend first up and regret it. Leave your options open would be my suggestion. But there is no one size fits all don't worry about your budget initially just enjoy your environmentReply to
David ********
Reply
Nick ************
*****
baht a month minimum and that does not include a car or health insurance.Keith *******
One will get nothing in Pattaya for THB7000 unless it's for one week's rent.
Pat ********
$50,000 USD
Terary **********
You could live in a temple and eat rice for next to nothing.
If you want enjoy $100 steaks at a 5 star hotel everything, that will be a bit more costly.
I rent a place near the sea, in pattaya, $500 month. I eat in mostly and travel every few months, in total I transfer 65,000 monthly, and a little more every so often.
If you want enjoy $100 steaks at a 5 star hotel everything, that will be a bit more costly.
I rent a place near the sea, in pattaya, $500 month. I eat in mostly and travel every few months, in total I transfer 65,000 monthly, and a little more every so often.
*************************
This is a pretty good site to get an idea of how much things rent in different places. You'll have to do a little more surfing to determine how much tourist stuff costs.Raymond ******************
100k Baht = all inclusive,
a good condo, transport, F&B, lifestyle,
and reasonable night outs, Without leachy Bitch*es
a good condo, transport, F&B, lifestyle,
and reasonable night outs, Without leachy Bitch*es
Michael ************
80-100,000 baht/mo. Is comfortable.
Bruce *********
@Michael ***********
This is correct.Reply to
Bruce *********
Reply
Andy *********
30k baht per month if extremely frugal, 100k very comfortably
John **********
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Duncan *******
You can rent a house from anywhere from 5k through to 100k a month, but if you want something mid-tier nice, you can get a newer furnished house
***
x2 in a nice estate with a pool and community facilities for around 25k first or second ring roads. After that, the cost is relative to what you want to eat - if you eat Western foods in restaurants all the time, the cost is more than eating a mix a Thai and foreign. 50-75k/month, all up for everything, would be comfortable.Pete *******
I have always found that 65k baht a month to be a reasonable comfortable lifestyle budget. For sure more, for sure less is possible.
Rok ********
.
Pete *******
@Rok *******
I’m married and my wife handles all the finances, we average 65k living a moderate lifestyle.Rok ********
@Pete ******
sorry. Meant to reply to the person posting.Reply to
Rok ********
Reply
Andy **********
I've seen Thai people living on ฿15k in issan villages, while farangs need much more money to live comfortably, and seem to suggest anything from ฿40k to over ฿100k a month, so what you would spend is anyone's guess 🤔
Joseph *********
Loved my motor scooter.
Hond Click.
400THB/month
Rent/elec/water 6500
Food 2000
Miscel 2000
Approx
Fully furnished studio
Near Rajhabat Uni
Hond Click.
400THB/month
Rent/elec/water 6500
Food 2000
Miscel 2000
Approx
*****
/monthFully furnished studio
Near Rajhabat Uni
Stuart ********
@Joseph ********
did u eat ?Joseph *********
@Stuart *******
read....food = eatBreakfast.....fruit,eggs,yoghat
etc
Lunch 30Thb...local lady's carport.cafe
Dinner cook for myself.
My adult students sometimes brought me fruit from their gardens
I always eat as locals eat
FORGOT LAUNDRY.
DID MY OWN OWN MY IRONABLEE 30thb
Iron able.. shirts, shorts, handkerchiefs etc 70Thb
Same lady...50m away 6years.she did not open on Buddha day or Public holidays.
3 ...
****
within 500mSupermarket 1k. Parking 5thb
Fresh market 2 within 1.5k
Banks 5
Temples 2
Catholic churches 2....6k
Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Deborah *******
Can also get a pretty accurate budget from naked guru on youtube
Deborah *******
I recommend you watch the trusted you tube dudes on budget one of them “retired working for you” gives this budget breakdown for two as of oct last year
Jared *********
@Deborah ******
the mid level is exactly what I'm at in total. Some differences in the details but overall end up at the same number. 75-85,000 baht per month.And yes, it does vary depending on Thursday lifestyle, aircon usage, eating out vs cooking, etc. I could survive on half that but I'm quite comfortable as is, not luxury level but comfortable.
Deborah *******
@Jared ********
yep mee too. I like how i am able to save a little by eating non western food if the beed arises .. there is flexibility in terms of how conservative or liberal one can be in terms of budgetReply to
Deborah *******
Reply
Billy *******
฿800k-฿1m per year without any children in school
Gordon ************
Holp Mike is your man for this 👍👍👍
Pertti *************
Here pattaya 2 bed 2 restroom house rent/mortgage starts +7000baht
Food for 2 +5000
.
.
.
We living here under 40.000baht per month.
But we can spend easily 200.000-300.000 monthly if not budgeting and save money for future🙏
Food for 2 +5000
.
.
.
We living here under 40.000baht per month.
But we can spend easily 200.000-300.000 monthly if not budgeting and save money for future🙏
Braulio *********
Pertti *************
@Braulio ********
we live like King and Queen here under 40k most months🙏🇹🇭❤Yes but we're not sexpats spending daily 10k to buy sex from hookers🤡
We have a janitor, a cleaner and a cook working
****
. Their salary is included in our budget as well🙏Remember smile and be happy🇹🇭
Bruce *********
@Pertti ************
You do not live like a king or queen under 40K. So you are telling me you have the same lifestyle as the King of Thailand? Impossible.Brad **********
@Pertti ************
Think your pretty good don't you DarchPertti *************
@Brad *********
not so good but happy to be alive and health is ok🙏 Best move was move here Thailand🥥🌴🇹🇭Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Carlo ******************
@Pertti ************
are Farangs allowed to do mortgages?Pertti *************
@Carlo *****************
if you have assets or income sure you can apply loan🙏Pertti *************
@Carlo *****************
yes, I have. I am working here Thailand.Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Jimmy *********
250 for room, 100 for food andc100 for travel ...so 500 baht a day.
Danny *******
Why would you need to have a car to live in Chiang Mai? When I lived in the US, so much of my expenses went to my car and CM is a small town, a bicycle or motorcycle is more than enough, you save tons of money, and healthier at the same time. Grab is cheap as well.
Jennifer ******
@Danny ******
CM air is a lot worse than BKK air in terms of PM 2.5 definitely riding a bicycle is not a healthy option.Zoe ******
@Danny ******
no one rides bicycles in Chiangmai unless it’s within the moo Baan you live in. It’s dangerous enough to ride motorcycles in Thailand, why would anyone rides bicycles on a major road. It takes 40 minutes driving from Doi Saket to HangDong, one does need transportation living in CM.Pertti *************
@Danny ******
house, car and motorcycle is something even poor Thais can have. If he can buy car it's very good for him🙏Colin ********
Danny Flood OP said he wants a car. - end of discussion.
Zeca **********
@Danny ******
very hard to ride a bicycle and motorbike in the wet season better off buying a carDanny *******
@Zeca *********
people come to a place like Thailand to live a simpler life than in the US or Canada, not to sit in a car all day long.Danny *******
@Zeca *********
and where would I drive it? I still don't understand. There is nowhere I need to go in Chiang Mai that requires a car. I can walk to restaurants on foot. Also, the rain never lasts very long. Today it rained in Bangkok for about ten minutes.John *******
@Danny ******
I agree about the rain in all of Thailand. Weather patterns are predictable here and mostimes stuck in the rain is short term. Great to eat at a restaurant while it is raining under a cover of sorts. Best times, I will never forget.Reply to
John *******
Reply
Kami ******
@Danny ******
you definitely need a car in Chiang MaiJulane *******
@Kami *****
agree. Living in Thailand now for 2.5 years. It was really not easy to explore without a car for the first 6 months relying on public transport and a motorbike. Maybe some people just dont like to explore? And stuck in the center of CM with all the tourists???Yoni *******
@Kami *****
exactly.Danny *******
@Kami *****
really? I've been like 20 times at least and never needed one.Kami ******
@Danny ******
Yes maybe for one person you can grab and walk or do bus but yes with a family or a couple I think a car… So many day to day factors. I live in Bangkok and I need a car. Now Bangkok you don’t need one but I got one anyway so it just depends on your lifestyleYoni *******
@Danny ******
I've"been there" so I can advise someone on living there with a family.Danny *******
@Yoni ******
I'm not a travel vlogger. Keep up your miserable trolling with someone else who cares.Yoni *******
@Danny ******
some of us actually live here. Keep up your travel vlogging.Bonnie *********
@Yoni ******
Wow, your comments are nasty and personal attacks .Reply to
Bonnie *********
Reply
Yoni *******
@Danny ******
CM is a small town? 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣It's a large metropolitan area with things very spread out unless you want to limit your entire existence to old town and nimman. It also has very intense rainy season. Not fun at all with just a motorbike. Especially for a person new to Thailand.
Danny *******
@Yoni ******
Large metropolis = Istanbul, Tokyo, Jakarta etc. and don't need a car there either.Yoni *******
@Danny ******
Doi Saket is not Chiang Mai? Mae Rim is not Chiang mai? Suthep is not Chiang mai? None of the mountains? RimPing is not chiang Mai? Central is not Chiang mai? Not everyone wants to live in old town or nimman. Some people want to have a house and land and be away from traffic. Just because you're a travel vlogger that lives in a studio condo doesn't mean that's what other people want.
Try living in Mae Rim or Doi Saket or Sansai or San khamphaeng with a family and not be Thai. And be new to Thailand and just have a motorbike.
All of those places are part of the metropolitan Chiang Mai area.
Delusional. But enjoy.
Yoni *******
@Danny ******
delusional.Danny *******
@Yoni ******
First of all, I don't wish to live in any of those places and most thirty year olds (like OP) don't wish to either. Second, I have traveled the entirety of Thailand from north to Phuket on a motorcycle and it was amazing. Why do you need to make personal attacks against strangers on the internet, do you simply have too much time and nothing to do?Reply to
Danny *******
Reply
Danny *******
@Yoni ******
I'm really confused. Where exactly do you need to commute to in Chiang Mai if you are not working there? There are cafes and coworking spaces everywhere. Supermarkets, 7-11s around every corner. Where exactly do you need to commute to, or am I missing something?Zoe ******
@Danny ******
you must only stayed in the old town and nimman. One can not just walk to a cafe if you live in a MooBaan.Reply to
Zoe ******
Reply
Duncan *******
@Danny ******
Chiang Mai is a city of 1.2 million people - not a "small town," and unless you live in the very center, you ideally need transport to get around.Elías ********
@Duncan ******
not an expert on CM matters, I haven't even been there. But for Asian standards (Thailand, Japan, Korea, China, etc.) 1,2 million inhabitants is a small city as best, but that in regard with population. Regardless of the population, a city can be concentrated in a small geographic area, or widely disseminated on a big area, so for transportation this is what matters.Ivan ************
@Elías *******
it's the second largest urban area in Thailand. Large or small is relative and sure it would be small in China but by Thai standards it's large, albeit much smaller than Bangkok which is a disproportionately large megacity, much larger than anything else.Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
Rogerio ******
@Duncan ******
A scooter should suffice.Danny *******
@Duncan ******
pretty small town if you ask me, usually a bicycle is enough for me to go everywhere and much faster than being stuck in traffic. Also this is Thailand, you have 1000 different options for food, coffee etc within a half KM radius. You also have the bicycle sharing stations they added all over Nimman, Old town, and riverside areasYoni *******
@Danny ******
"everywhere" So you stay in old town. Maybe a little nimman. And that's all of CM to you. Got it.
Jozef *********
@Danny ******
great cycling all over town during the smokey hot season, extra healthy as well 🙄Duncan *******
@Danny ******
you're describing the very center, not the entire city. And op is asking about renting a house which means outside the center - good luck riding a bicycle from San Sai or Hang DongDanny *******
@Duncan ******
who wants to live out there? The dude looks about 30 he's not like 70 and looking to rest his bonesZoe ******
@Danny ******
plenty of people in their 30s and 40s live outside of the city center when they don’t want to live like a tourist. Myself included, it’s so much more peaceful and beautiful when you get to wake up listening to the birds instead of traffic.Zeca **********
@Danny ******
riding a bicycle is very dangerous , too many crazy drivers .It’s hard to see a cyclist when driving . Specially in Chiang Mai unless you want to end up in hospital, go right ahead and ride your bike .Duncan *******
@Danny ******
lots of people don't like living in the center with the traffic and noise and op is asking about renting a house.Reply to
Duncan *******
Reply
Dana ******
I would think a couple could live nicely on $25,000/yr. (US).
Don't forget about those one-time first expenses like a car, insurance, bed, household items... that's where my budget was surprised.
Don't forget about those one-time first expenses like a car, insurance, bed, household items... that's where my budget was surprised.
Peter *********
*****
baht can live comfortablyReply to
Peter *********
Reply
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