πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,088 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $931 in Maha Sarakham.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,909 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $1,475 in Maha Sarakham.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,730 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $2,020 in Maha Sarakham.
πLiving in Koh Phan Ghan is roughly 17% more expensive than Maha Sarakham, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Koh Phan Ghan19% lower, Maha Sarakham31% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.15ΰΈΏ135
$2.99ΰΈΏ97.4
38.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.50ΰΈΏ1,352
$27.09ΰΈΏ882
53.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.88ΰΈΏ257
$6.21ΰΈΏ202
26.89%
Cappuccino
$2.73ΰΈΏ88.9
$2.10ΰΈΏ68.4
30.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67ΰΈΏ21.74
$0.71ΰΈΏ23.25
-5.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32ΰΈΏ10.58
$0.29ΰΈΏ9.57
10.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.26ΰΈΏ73.7
$2.44ΰΈΏ79.4
-7.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42ΰΈΏ111
$3.73ΰΈΏ121
-8.31%
π Groceries & Markets
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.03ΰΈΏ66.2
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.3
19.41%
White Bread(500g)
$1.79ΰΈΏ58.3
$1.35ΰΈΏ43.91
32.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07ΰΈΏ67.3
$1.32ΰΈΏ42.87
56.82%
Eggs
$2.15ΰΈΏ70.0
$2.16ΰΈΏ70.2
-0.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.57ΰΈΏ605
$18.21ΰΈΏ593
1.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.47ΰΈΏ113
$3.10ΰΈΏ101
11.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.45ΰΈΏ406
$10.71ΰΈΏ349
16.25%
Apples(1kg)
$3.07ΰΈΏ99.9
$3.23ΰΈΏ105
-4.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62ΰΈΏ52.7
$1.25ΰΈΏ40.80
29.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.2
$1.89ΰΈΏ61.5
15.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.91ΰΈΏ62.3
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.7
20.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51ΰΈΏ49.09
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.63
-0.66%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37ΰΈΏ44.47
$1.25ΰΈΏ40.69
9.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.92ΰΈΏ29.89
$0.98ΰΈΏ32.00
-6.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47ΰΈΏ15.16
$0.48ΰΈΏ15.77
-2.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.05ΰΈΏ132
$4.43ΰΈΏ144
-8.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.76ΰΈΏ578
$13.18ΰΈΏ429
34.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68ΰΈΏ54.7
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.0
-4.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58ΰΈΏ83.9
$2.75ΰΈΏ89.5
-6.18%
π Getting Around
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.98
$0.96ΰΈΏ31.21
28.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.71ΰΈΏ88.4
$1.05ΰΈΏ34.16
158.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91ΰΈΏ29.59
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.81
-23.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.32ΰΈΏ401
$6.32ΰΈΏ206
94.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.11
$1.30ΰΈΏ42.18
-10.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KΰΈΏ805.4K
$28.2KΰΈΏ918.7K
-12.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.6KΰΈΏ997.0K
$27.1KΰΈΏ882.5K
12.98%
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)
$124ΰΈΏ4,025
$76.1ΰΈΏ2,478
62.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.74ΰΈΏ447
$13.83ΰΈΏ450
-0.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.91ΰΈΏ616
$18.73ΰΈΏ610
0.96%
π Sport & Entertainment
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.0ΰΈΏ2,018
$49.23ΰΈΏ1,603
25.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.67ΰΈΏ543
$12.22ΰΈΏ398
36.42%
Cinema Ticket
$8.90ΰΈΏ290
$6.88ΰΈΏ224
29.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$696ΰΈΏ22.7K
$300ΰΈΏ9,757
132.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9KΰΈΏ518.4K
$9,693ΰΈΏ315.7K
64.21%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.3ΰΈΏ1,931
$33.24ΰΈΏ1,083
78.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.26ΰΈΏ1,116
$34.18ΰΈΏ1,113
0.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115ΰΈΏ3,747
$98.9ΰΈΏ3,220
16.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.0ΰΈΏ2,801
$70.4ΰΈΏ2,293
22.13%
π Accommodation & Living
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$434ΰΈΏ14.1K
$416ΰΈΏ13.6K
4.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303ΰΈΏ9,882
$280ΰΈΏ9,131
8.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,442ΰΈΏ47.0K
$805ΰΈΏ26.2K
79.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,032ΰΈΏ33.6K
$666ΰΈΏ21.7K
54.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,527ΰΈΏ82.3K
$1,763ΰΈΏ57.4K
43.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,827ΰΈΏ59.5K
$1,266ΰΈΏ41.2K
44.37%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Koh Phan Ghan
Maha Sarakham
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$743ΰΈΏ24.2K
-
-
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Maha Sarakham: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $434 in Koh Phan Ghan and $416 in Maha Sarakham. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $41.00 in Koh Phan Ghan vs $27.00 in Maha Sarakham for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $274 vs $243 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 17% in total monthly costs ($1,088 vs $931 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 $1,631 in Koh Phan Ghan and $1,397 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: $434 in Koh Phan Ghan versus $416 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 13% 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 $931 in Maha Sarakham β a 17% 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 $931 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 17% 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