πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,088 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $916 in Maha Sarakham.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,949 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $1,498 in Maha Sarakham.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,809 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $2,079 in Maha Sarakham.
πLiving in Koh Phan Ghan is roughly 19% more expensive than Maha Sarakham, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Koh Phan Ghan19% lower, Maha Sarakham32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.22ΰΈΏ138
$3.04ΰΈΏ99.5
38.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.27ΰΈΏ1,382
$27.12ΰΈΏ887
55.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
$6.37ΰΈΏ208
23.08%
Cappuccino
$2.78ΰΈΏ90.8
$2.01ΰΈΏ65.7
38.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61ΰΈΏ19.91
$0.67ΰΈΏ21.89
-8.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.47
$0.27ΰΈΏ8.70
29.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.19ΰΈΏ71.8
$2.44ΰΈΏ79.9
-10.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40ΰΈΏ111
$3.59ΰΈΏ118
-5.29%
π Groceries & Markets
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.03ΰΈΏ66.5
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.2
16.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.72ΰΈΏ56.3
$1.33ΰΈΏ43.53
29.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.8
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.62
67.72%
Eggs
$2.12ΰΈΏ69.3
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.8
-3.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.46ΰΈΏ604
$18.81ΰΈΏ615
-1.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.45ΰΈΏ113
$3.01ΰΈΏ98.4
14.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.89ΰΈΏ421
$10.62ΰΈΏ347
21.37%
Apples(1kg)
$3.16ΰΈΏ103
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-2.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54ΰΈΏ50.3
$1.25ΰΈΏ40.81
23.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29ΰΈΏ75.0
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.2
20.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.90ΰΈΏ62.2
$1.57ΰΈΏ51.4
21.02%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53ΰΈΏ50.2
$1.51ΰΈΏ49.43
1.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43ΰΈΏ46.88
$1.24ΰΈΏ40.70
15.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91ΰΈΏ29.70
$1.03ΰΈΏ33.60
-11.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47ΰΈΏ15.32
$0.51ΰΈΏ16.75
-7.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20ΰΈΏ137
$4.40ΰΈΏ144
-4.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.23ΰΈΏ596
$16.89ΰΈΏ552
7.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.6
$1.79ΰΈΏ58.6
-5.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58ΰΈΏ84.3
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-6.18%
π Getting Around
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.23ΰΈΏ40.32
$0.95ΰΈΏ31.20
29.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.6
$1.09ΰΈΏ35.78
148.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.42
$1.20ΰΈΏ39.26
-25.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.70ΰΈΏ415
$6.20ΰΈΏ203
104.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.43
$1.25ΰΈΏ40.76
-5.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KΰΈΏ830.5K
$28.1KΰΈΏ920.2K
-9.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.4KΰΈΏ993.9K
$27.1KΰΈΏ887.4K
12.00%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121ΰΈΏ3,958
$75.9ΰΈΏ2,482
59.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.47ΰΈΏ441
$13.51ΰΈΏ442
-0.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.75ΰΈΏ613
$18.71ΰΈΏ612
0.21%
π Sport & Entertainment
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.1ΰΈΏ1,999
$50.2ΰΈΏ1,640
21.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.83ΰΈΏ550
$12.23ΰΈΏ400
37.61%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10ΰΈΏ297
$7.03ΰΈΏ230
29.45%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698ΰΈΏ22.8K
$297ΰΈΏ9,700
135.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.7KΰΈΏ514.7K
$9,747ΰΈΏ318.7K
61.49%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.4ΰΈΏ1,877
$33.86ΰΈΏ1,107
69.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.54ΰΈΏ1,129
$34.94ΰΈΏ1,143
-1.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113ΰΈΏ3,701
$99.0ΰΈΏ3,236
14.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,725
$71.4ΰΈΏ2,336
16.67%
π Accommodation & Living
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429ΰΈΏ14.0K
$427ΰΈΏ14.0K
0.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$305ΰΈΏ9,985
$287ΰΈΏ9,375
6.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,435ΰΈΏ46.9K
$813ΰΈΏ26.6K
76.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,040ΰΈΏ34.0K
$655ΰΈΏ21.4K
58.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,570ΰΈΏ84.0K
$2,136ΰΈΏ69.8K
20.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,844ΰΈΏ60.3K
$1,589ΰΈΏ52.0K
15.99%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$751ΰΈΏ24.6K
-
-
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Maha Sarakham: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $429 in Koh Phan Ghan and $427 in Maha Sarakham. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $42.00 in Koh Phan Ghan vs $27.00 in Maha Sarakham for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $276 vs $253 per month, with Maha Sarakham 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 Maha Sarakham: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Koh Phan Ghan and Maha Sarakham?
Koh Phan Ghan and Maha Sarakham differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($1,088 vs $916 including rent). Maha Sarakham is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Koh Phan Ghan compared to Maha Sarakham?
You'd need roughly $1,632 in Koh Phan Ghan and $1,374 in Maha Sarakham 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 do apartment prices compare in Koh Phan Ghan and Maha Sarakham?
Rent for a central apartment: $429 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $427 in Maha Sarakham. 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 9% higher in Koh Phan Ghan. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Koh Phan Ghan or Maha Sarakham?
All in, you'll spend $1,088 per month in Koh Phan Ghan versus $916 in Maha Sarakham β a 19% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $916 in Maha Sarakham versus $1,088 in Koh Phan Ghan, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Maha Sarakham but tight or insufficient in Koh Phan Ghan. The gap between the two cities makes Maha Sarakham the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Koh Phan Ghan and Maha Sarakham?
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 Maha Sarakham safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Koh Phan Ghan and Maha Sarakham 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 Maha Sarakham?
Expats usually find Maha Sarakham 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