Koh Samui, Thailand

Cost of Living in Koh Samui, Thailand

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Koh Samui costs approximately $1,040 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $820. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 345 sunny days a year.

Top for Party BeachTop for Yoga WellnessTop for BeachDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,040≈ $35/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$820
Internet138 Mbps
Safety65/100
Avg Temp85°F

Koh Samui Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4.81
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$32.07
McDonald's Combo Meal$9.62
Cappuccino$2.31
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.25

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.59
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.55
Eggs (12)$2.24
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$1.11
Apples (1 lb)$1.44
Bananas (1 lb)$0.53
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.05
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.70
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.50
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$17.64
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.49

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.60
Monthly Transit Pass$48.11
Taxi Start$3.21
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.50
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.33
VW Golf (New)$28,864.66

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$88.73
Mobile Phone Plan$12.16
Broadband Internet$19.79

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$39.56
Cinema Ticket$8.18
Preschool (Monthly)$644.64
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$8,551.71

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$44.90
Nike Running Shoes$99.28

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$819.81
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$436.98
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,924.31
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,632.46
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$193.67
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$134.08

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$421.17
Mortgage Interest Rate5.57%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Koh Samui

Internet138 Mbps
Safety65/100
Healthcare77/100
Public Transit15/100
Walkability20/100
Nightlife50/100
Food Scene80/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture22/100
Air Quality89/100
Green Spaces65/100
Culture42/100
Beaches90/100
Hiking35/100
Surfing15/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free60 days

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 345 sunny days and 222 rainy days per year.

Koh Samui in our travel guides

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