Cost of Living in Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is a city in Thailand, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,040 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $820 per month, or $437 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 138 Mbps median download speed, and Thailand offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Koh Samui scores 65/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 87°F and winter highs around 82°F, with roughly 251 sunny days a year.
Koh Samui Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Koh Samui
How Koh Samui Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Koh Samui ranks in the top 19% for air quality, but sits in the bottom 3% for walkability. It is cheaper than 72% of them.
| Metric | Koh Samui | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,040 | #95 of 340 | #40 of 65 |
| Safety | 65/100 | #158 of 340 | #36 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 77/100 | #109 of 340 | #15 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 138 Mbps | #201 of 340 | #37 of 65 |
| Walkability | 20/100 | #333 of 340 | #62 of 65 |
| Public transit | 15/100 | #278 of 340 | #50 of 65 |
| Food scene | 80/100 | #103 of 340 | #39 of 65 |
| Air quality | 89/100 | #64 of 340 | #6 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Koh Samui
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Koh Samui.
- Goa, India — $487/mo, 53% cheaper, safety 58/100
- Langkawi, Malaysia — $740/mo, 29% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Da Nang, Vietnam — $722/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 75/100
- Lombok, Indonesia — $740/mo, 29% cheaper, safety 70/100
Koh Samui FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Koh Samui?
A single person should budget around $1,040 per month in Koh Samui, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Koh Samui?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Koh Samui averages $820 per month, dropping to about $437 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,924.
Is Koh Samui safe?
Koh Samui scores 65/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 65/100.
How fast is the internet in Koh Samui?
Median download speeds in Koh Samui are around 138 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 15 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Thailand offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Thailand offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 60 days visa-free before applying.
What is the weather like in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui sees summer highs around 87°F and winter highs near 82°F, with about 251 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 134 days.
Koh Samui in our travel guides
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