Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Koh Lanta and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Koh Lanta: $907 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $21,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Koh Lanta
🇹🇭 Thailand
$907
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,704
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Koh Lanta and in Austin, TX

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Koh Lanta and in Austin, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $907 in Koh Lanta versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

  • Koh Lanta $907
  • Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,498 in Koh Lanta versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Koh Lanta $1,498
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,089 in Koh Lanta versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

  • Koh Lanta $2,089
  • Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Koh Lanta costs roughly 66% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Koh Lanta is 32% below, Austin, TX is 102% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.62 ฿121
$20.22 $20.22
-82.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.92 ฿868
$85.0 $85.0
-69.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.84 ฿229
$12.35 $12.35
-44.62%
Cappuccino
$2.26 ฿75.5
$5.47 $5.47
-58.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 ฿25.96
$3.82 $3.82
-79.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿12.15
$2.50 $2.50
-85.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.08 ฿69.6
$8.06 $8.06
-74.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 ฿98.7
$8.99 $8.99
-67.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 ฿51.4
$1.13 $1.13
35.40%
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 ฿43.96
$3.78 $3.78
-65.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.36 ฿45.45
$3.25 $3.25
-58.15%
Eggs
$1.87 ฿62.6
$4.14 $4.14
-54.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.72 ฿593
$13.08 $13.08
35.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.00 ฿101
$14.31 $14.31
-79.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.85 ฿330
$15.96 $15.96
-38.28%
Apples (1kg)
$2.55 ฿85.4
$4.38 $4.38
-41.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 ฿50.9
$1.45 $1.45
4.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.04 ฿68.3
$4.54 $4.54
-55.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.91 ฿63.8
$4.19 $4.19
-54.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.30 ฿43.56
$2.63 $2.63
-50.57%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.09
$2.36 $2.36
-49.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 ฿34.11
$1.76 $1.76
-42.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 ฿15.55
$2.16 $2.16
-78.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.80 ฿127
$9.81 $9.81
-61.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.52 ฿553
$14.72 $14.72
12.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.4
$2.78 $2.78
-41.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 ฿84.7
$3.48 $3.48
-27.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.83 ฿61.3
$1.49 $1.49
22.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$40.51 $40.51
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.1
$2.67 $2.67
-9.36%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.82 ฿27.40
$1.58 $1.58
-48.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.00 ฿100
$35.29 $35.29
-91.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ฿39.60
$0.99 $0.99
19.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿716.8K
$35.8K $35.8K
-40.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K ฿698.6K
$27.2K $27.2K
-23.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.3 ฿3,122
$219 $219
-57.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.49 ฿351
$58.0 $58.0
-81.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.60 ฿556
$68.4 $68.4
-75.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.05 ฿1,475
$57.9 $57.9
-23.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.20 ฿308
$14.82 $14.82
-37.92%
Cinema Ticket
$6.55 ฿219
$14.13 $14.13
-53.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$491 ฿16.4K
$1,509 $1,509
-67.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ฿351.4K
$21.5K $21.5K
-51.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6 ฿1,997
$51.7 $51.7
15.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.29 ฿914
$44.05 $44.05
-38.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.7 ฿3,038
$85.1 $85.1
6.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.0 ฿2,778
$105 $105
-21.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$439 ฿14.7K
$1,932 $1,932
-77.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$280 ฿9,373
$1,272 $1,272
-78.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,264 ฿42.3K
$3,670 $3,670
-65.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$716 ฿24.0K
$2,525 $2,525
-71.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,095 ฿70.2K
$7,617 $7,617
-72.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,519 ฿50.9K
$3,199 $3,199
-52.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Koh Lanta
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,105 $5,105
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.79
-17.97%

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

Last update for Koh Lanta: October 5, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Koh Lanta
$280
Austin, TX
$1.3K 355% $992
Groceries & Markets
Koh Lanta
$241
Austin, TX
$403 67.3% $162
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Koh Lanta
$120
Austin, TX
$346 187% $225
Clothing & Footwear
Koh Lanta
$117
Austin, TX
$129 9.8% $11
Eating Out
Koh Lanta
$97
Austin, TX
$348 257% $251
Sport & Entertainment
Koh Lanta
$57
Austin, TX
$86 50.8% $29
Getting Around
Koh Lanta
$14 *
Austin, TX
$57 312% $43

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $439 in Koh Lanta and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $26.00 in Koh Lanta vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $241 vs $403 per month, with Koh Lanta cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Koh Lanta
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
17:38 5:38 PM
05:38 5:38 AM
12 h behind Koh Lanta
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
32,000
974,447
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 33.48 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.52 THB (100 THB = 2.67 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Koh Lanta Austin, TX 15,440 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Koh Lanta
  • Austin, TX

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Koh Lanta vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Koh Lanta or Austin, TX?
Koh Lanta wins on cost – living expenses run 198% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Koh Lanta the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Koh Lanta and in Austin, TX?
You'd need roughly $1,361 in Koh Lanta and $4,055 in Austin, TX to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Koh Lanta compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $439 in Koh Lanta versus $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Koh Lanta and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $491 in Koh Lanta versus $1,509 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Koh Lanta and in Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Koh Lanta – a meal for two runs $26.00 versus $85.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Koh Lanta or in Austin, TX?
At $907 in Koh Lanta versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Koh Lanta but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Koh Lanta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Koh Lanta or Austin, TX?
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.
How safe is Koh Lanta compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Koh Lanta and Austin, TX are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Koh Lanta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 198% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Koh Lanta vs other spots: cost of living compared

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