Cost of Living Comparison Between Bangkok and Phitsanulok Cost of Living Comparison Between Bangkok and Phitsanulok

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,068 in Bangkok versus $720 in Phitsanulok.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,732 in Bangkok versus $1,315 in Phitsanulok.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,396 in Bangkok versus $1,910 in Phitsanulok.

Living in Bangkok is roughly 48% more expensive than Phitsanulok, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bangkok 20% lower, Phitsanulok 46% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.17 ฿103
$1.99 ฿65.0
59.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.33 ฿991
$18.37 ฿600
65.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.27 ฿205
$7.61 ฿248
-17.61%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ฿81.9
$1.94 ฿63.5
29.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 ฿22.34
$0.83 ฿27.26
-18.07%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ฿8.79
$0.35 ฿11.56
-22.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.44 ฿79.6
$2.20 ฿71.9
10.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 ฿129
$3.64 ฿119
8.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 ฿58.8
$1.64 ฿53.5
9.76%
White Bread (500g)
$1.39 ฿45.38
$1.05 ฿34.41
32.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.42 ฿46.22
$1.14 ฿37.32
24.56%
Eggs
$2.26 ฿73.8
$1.92 ฿62.6
17.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.40 ฿601
$16.11 ฿526
14.21%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.01 ฿98.4
$3.16 ฿103
-4.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.38 ฿306
$11.05 ฿361
-15.11%
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 ฿116
$2.76 ฿90.1
28.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.76 ฿57.6
$1.23 ฿40.13
43.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.21 ฿72.1
$1.65 ฿54.0
33.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.84 ฿59.9
$1.54 ฿50.2
19.48%
Potato (1kg)
$1.64 ฿53.5
$1.39 ฿45.48
17.99%
Onion (1kg)
$1.50 ฿48.88
$1.16 ฿37.93
29.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.31 ฿42.67
$0.66 ฿21.67
98.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.10
$0.52 ฿17.02
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.25 ฿139
$4.59 ฿150
-7.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.02 ฿490
$18.62 ฿608
-19.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80 ฿58.9
$1.86 ฿60.8
-3.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 ฿111
$3.24 ฿106
4.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ฿39.00
$0.88 ฿28.70
35.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$36.43 ฿1,190
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.10 ฿35.84
$1.37 ฿44.65
-19.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.20 ฿39.07
$1.30 ฿42.50
-7.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.13 ฿200
$7.78 ฿254
-21.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 ฿40.88
$1.22 ฿39.96
2.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3K ฿1.2M
$21.4K ฿697.9K
74.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6K ฿934.5K
$22.3K ฿729.6K
28.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$91.9 ฿3,000
$69.7 ฿2,277
31.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.96 ฿423
$14.15 ฿462
-8.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.67 ฿577
$6.04 ฿197
192.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.9 ฿1,759
$49.97 ฿1,632
7.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.68 ฿349
$12.41 ฿405
-13.94%
Cinema Ticket
$7.90 ฿258
$5.96 ฿195
32.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$601 ฿19.6K
$310 ฿10.1K
93.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.2K ฿432.6K
$14.9K ฿486.9K
-11.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0 ฿1,863
$32.82 ฿1,072
73.80%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.28 ฿1,250
$26.34 ฿860
45.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 ฿3,376
$85.0 ฿2,777
21.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.0 ฿3,103
$71.8 ฿2,345
32.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$669 ฿21.9K
$429 ฿14.0K
55.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$326 ฿10.7K
$139 ฿4,555
133.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,877 ฿61.3K
$828 ฿27.0K
126.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$843 ฿27.5K
$647 ฿21.1K
30.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,307 ฿206.0K
$1,748 ฿57.1K
260.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,371 ฿110.1K
$1,457 ฿47.6K
131.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bangkok
Phitsanulok
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$747 ฿24.4K
$488 ฿15.9K
53.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.84
5
16.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bangkok: May 31, 2026

Last update for Phitsanulok: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $669 in Bangkok and $429 in Phitsanulok. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bangkok pays 53% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $30.00 in Bangkok vs $18.00 in Phitsanulok for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $257 vs $240 per month, with Phitsanulok cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bangkok vs Phitsanulok: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bangkok and Phitsanulok?
Bangkok and Phitsanulok differ by about 48% in total monthly costs ($1,068 vs $720 including rent). Phitsanulok is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bangkok or Phitsanulok?
Bangkok pays 53% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bangkok and Phitsanulok?
Rent for a central apartment: $669 in Bangkok versus $429 in Phitsanulok. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 7% higher in Bangkok. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bangkok or Phitsanulok?
All in, you'll spend $1,068 per month in Bangkok versus $720 in Phitsanulok – a 48% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $720 in Phitsanulok versus $1,068 in Bangkok, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Phitsanulok but tight or insufficient in Bangkok. The gap between the two cities makes Phitsanulok the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bangkok and Phitsanulok?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bangkok or Phitsanulok safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bangkok and Phitsanulok are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Bangkok or Phitsanulok?
Expats usually find Phitsanulok gentler on the wallet – expenses run 48% less than in Bangkok. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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