πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,096 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $922 in Cha-am.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,945 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $1,416 in Cha-am.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,794 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $1,909 in Cha-am.
πLiving in Koh Phan Ghan is roughly 19% more expensive than Cha-am, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Koh Phan Ghan18% lower, Cha-am31% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.22ΰΈΏ138
$3.00ΰΈΏ98.1
40.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.00ΰΈΏ1,340
$21.36ΰΈΏ698
91.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.88ΰΈΏ258
$9.02ΰΈΏ295
-12.64%
Cappuccino
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.4
$2.03ΰΈΏ66.3
35.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61ΰΈΏ19.97
$0.64ΰΈΏ20.97
-4.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.64
$0.45ΰΈΏ14.71
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.25ΰΈΏ73.4
$2.53ΰΈΏ82.6
-11.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35ΰΈΏ109
$3.80ΰΈΏ124
-11.84%
π Groceries & Markets
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.05ΰΈΏ67.0
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.4
17.14%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.1
$1.39ΰΈΏ45.45
25.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.08ΰΈΏ68.1
$1.26ΰΈΏ41.26
65.08%
Eggs
$2.12ΰΈΏ69.3
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.7
15.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.91ΰΈΏ618
$13.48ΰΈΏ441
40.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.60ΰΈΏ118
$3.26ΰΈΏ107
10.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.82ΰΈΏ419
$11.00ΰΈΏ360
16.55%
Apples(1kg)
$3.16ΰΈΏ103
$3.16ΰΈΏ103
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.54ΰΈΏ50.4
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.92
14.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29ΰΈΏ75.0
$1.89ΰΈΏ61.8
21.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.91ΰΈΏ62.5
$1.51ΰΈΏ49.44
26.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.46ΰΈΏ47.66
$1.68ΰΈΏ54.9
-13.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43ΰΈΏ46.76
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.43
12.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.92ΰΈΏ29.96
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.80
-24.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49ΰΈΏ16.09
$0.46ΰΈΏ14.88
6.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.24ΰΈΏ139
$4.64ΰΈΏ152
-8.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.11ΰΈΏ592
$16.61ΰΈΏ543
9.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73ΰΈΏ56.7
$1.81ΰΈΏ59.1
-4.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56ΰΈΏ83.7
$3.53ΰΈΏ115
-27.48%
π Getting Around
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.45
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.75
44.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.69ΰΈΏ87.9
$1.05ΰΈΏ34.47
156.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87ΰΈΏ28.60
$0.75ΰΈΏ24.62
16.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.31ΰΈΏ402
$3.37ΰΈΏ110
265.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.27
$1.32ΰΈΏ43.18
-11.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KΰΈΏ805.9K
$20.0KΰΈΏ654.4K
23.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5KΰΈΏ998.2K
$20.7KΰΈΏ676.1K
47.64%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$122ΰΈΏ3,987
$73.3ΰΈΏ2,397
66.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.49ΰΈΏ441
$13.18ΰΈΏ431
2.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.78ΰΈΏ614
$18.40ΰΈΏ602
2.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1ΰΈΏ1,966
$24.52ΰΈΏ801
145.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.94ΰΈΏ554
$12.42ΰΈΏ406
36.39%
Cinema Ticket
$9.15ΰΈΏ299
$7.81ΰΈΏ255
17.16%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$693ΰΈΏ22.6K
$141ΰΈΏ4,595
392.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0KΰΈΏ522.7K
$9,354ΰΈΏ305.8K
70.93%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9ΰΈΏ1,893
$29.97ΰΈΏ980
93.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.07ΰΈΏ1,114
$19.69ΰΈΏ644
73.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116ΰΈΏ3,778
$61.9ΰΈΏ2,025
86.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.4ΰΈΏ2,726
$43.07ΰΈΏ1,408
93.59%
π Accommodation & Living
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$425ΰΈΏ13.9K
$455ΰΈΏ14.9K
-6.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$313ΰΈΏ10.2K
$368ΰΈΏ12.0K
-14.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,432ΰΈΏ46.8K
$783ΰΈΏ25.6K
82.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,044ΰΈΏ34.1K
$689ΰΈΏ22.5K
51.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,558ΰΈΏ83.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,826ΰΈΏ59.7K
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Koh Phan Ghan
Cha-am
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$744ΰΈΏ24.3K
$368ΰΈΏ12.0K
101.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
5.45
-2.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Koh Phan Ghan: May 31, 2026
Last update for Cha-am: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $425 in Koh Phan Ghan and $455 in Cha-am. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Koh Phan Ghan pays 102% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $41.00 in Koh Phan Ghan vs $21.00 in Cha-am for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $279 vs $240 per month, with Cha-am 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
Koh Phan Ghan vs Cha-am: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am?
Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($1,096 vs $922 including rent). Cha-am is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Koh Phan Ghan or Cha-am?
Koh Phan Ghan pays 102% 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 Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am?
Rent for a central apartment: $425 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $455 in Cha-am. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am?
Childcare runs $693 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $141 in Cha-am. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Cha-am β a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $41.00 in Koh Phan Ghan. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $922 in Cha-am versus $1,096 in Koh Phan Ghan, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Cha-am but tight or insufficient in Koh Phan Ghan. The gap between the two cities makes Cha-am the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Koh Phan Ghan or Cha-am safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Koh Phan Ghan and Cha-am 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: Koh Phan Ghan or Cha-am?
Expats usually find Cha-am gentler on the wallet β expenses run 19% less than in Koh Phan Ghan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Koh Phan Ghan vs other spots: cost of living compared