Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nakhon Sawan and Koh Phangan

For one person, living is cheaper in Nakhon Sawan: $1,044 a month against $1,103 in Koh Phangan, rent and utilities included – about $710 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Nakhon Sawan
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,044
/mo nomad
Koh Phangan
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,103
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nakhon Sawan and in Koh Phangan

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,044 in Nakhon Sawan versus $1,103 in Koh Phangan.

  • Nakhon Sawan $1,044
  • Koh Phangan $1,103

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,620 in Nakhon Sawan versus $1,874 in Koh Phangan.

  • Nakhon Sawan $1,620
  • Koh Phangan $1,874

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,196 in Nakhon Sawan versus $2,646 in Koh Phangan.

  • Nakhon Sawan $2,196
  • Koh Phangan $2,646

Living in Nakhon Sawan costs roughly 5% less than in Koh Phangan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities sit below the global median: Nakhon Sawan 23% lower, Koh Phangan 19% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.94 ฿99.3
$3.88 ฿131
-24.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.47 ฿1,197
$28.98 ฿978
22.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.97 ฿201
$7.88 ฿266
-24.24%
Cappuccino
$2.83 ฿95.4
$2.46 ฿83.1
15.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67 ฿22.49
$0.80 ฿27.04
-16.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 ฿10.93
$0.44 ฿14.89
-27.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.67 ฿90.2
$2.25 ฿76.0
18.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.55 ฿154
$3.26 ฿110
39.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 ฿63.6
$1.59 ฿53.6
18.87%
White Bread (500g)
$1.48 ฿49.90
$1.38 ฿46.55
7.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.88
$1.44 ฿48.45
-3.47%
Eggs
$1.67 ฿56.4
$2.00 ฿67.3
-16.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.17 ฿579
$18.46 ฿623
-6.99%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.50 ฿118
$3.29 ฿111
6.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.82 ฿432
$10.67 ฿360
20.15%
Apples (1kg)
$3.83 ฿129
$2.72 ฿91.7
40.81%
Banana (1kg)
$0.71 ฿23.95
$1.54 ฿52.0
-53.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.66 ฿89.6
$2.07 ฿69.8
28.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.91 ฿64.4
$1.93 ฿65.2
-1.04%
Potato (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.53
$1.44 ฿48.59
-16.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 ฿40.93
$1.23 ฿41.64
-1.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.82 ฿27.68
$1.07 ฿35.96
-23.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ฿16.04
$0.48 ฿16.04
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.73 ฿92.0
$4.04 ฿136
-32.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.65 ฿494
$17.83 ฿602
-17.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 ฿53.4
$1.70 ฿57.4
-7.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 ฿112
$2.65 ฿89.5
25.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.22
$1.32 ฿44.60
-29.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$49.08 ฿1,656
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.03 ฿34.65
$2.61 ฿88.2
-60.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.15 ฿38.64
$0.96 ฿32.41
19.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.08 ฿205
$3.32 ฿112
83.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 ฿42.37
$1.33 ฿44.95
-5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3K ฿1.1M
$23.5K ฿794.5K
33.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2K ฿918.9K
$23.7K ฿798.8K
15.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$107 ฿3,606
$98.0 ฿3,308
9.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.68 ฿428
$11.12 ฿375
14.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.53 ฿591
$16.94 ฿571
3.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.36 ฿1,665
$67.7 ฿2,284
-27.08%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.51 ฿456
$10.81 ฿365
24.98%
Cinema Ticket
$7.62 ฿257
$7.68 ฿259
-0.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$794 ฿26.8K
$478 ฿16.1K
65.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K ฿567.1K
$11.6K ฿391.4K
44.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.4 ฿2,341
$62.1 ฿2,096
11.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.62 ฿1,438
$28.52 ฿962
49.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.7 ฿3,363
$96.0 ฿3,240
3.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 ฿3,481
$86.5 ฿2,919
19.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.2K
$498 ฿16.8K
-3.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$332 ฿11.2K
$348 ฿11.7K
-4.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,318 ฿44.5K
$1,349 ฿45.5K
-2.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$608 ฿20.5K
$1,007 ฿34.0K
-39.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,147 ฿72.4K
$2,927 ฿98.8K
-26.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,943 ฿65.5K
$2,098 ฿70.8K
-7.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nakhon Sawan
Koh Phangan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$474 ฿16.0K
$724 ฿24.4K
-34.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.25
5.57
-5.75%

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

Last update for Nakhon Sawan: October 25, 2026

Last update for Koh Phangan: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nakhon Sawan
$332
Koh Phangan
$348 4.6% $15
Groceries & Markets
Nakhon Sawan
$256
Koh Phangan
$254 0.6% $1.6
Clothing & Footwear
Nakhon Sawan
$142
Koh Phangan
$123 13.2% $19
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nakhon Sawan
$137
Koh Phangan
$126 8% $11
Eating Out
Nakhon Sawan
$102
Koh Phangan
$107 5.1% $5.2
Sport & Entertainment
Nakhon Sawan
$65
Koh Phangan
$83 28.6% $18
Getting Around
Nakhon Sawan
$10 *
Koh Phangan
$62 491% $51

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 $481 in Nakhon Sawan and $498 in Koh Phangan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Koh Phangan pays 53% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $35 in Nakhon Sawan vs $29 in Koh Phangan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $256 vs $254 per month, with Koh Phangan cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Nakhon Sawan
🇹🇭 Koh Phangan
🕒 Local time
01:24 1:24 AM
01:24 1:24 AM
Same time as Nakhon Sawan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
82,305
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nakhon Sawan Koh Phangan 660 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Nakhon Sawan
  • Koh Phangan

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
Nakhon Sawan vs Koh Phangan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Nakhon Sawan and in Koh Phangan?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $1,044 in Nakhon Sawan and $1,103 in Koh Phangan, so Nakhon Sawan is about 5% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 34% lower in Nakhon Sawan. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Nakhon Sawan and in Koh Phangan?
Rent for a central apartment: $481 in Nakhon Sawan versus $498 in Koh Phangan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nakhon Sawan and Koh Phangan?
Childcare runs $794 in Nakhon Sawan versus $478 in Koh Phangan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more expensive overall: Nakhon Sawan or Koh Phangan?
All in, you’ll spend $1,044 per month in Nakhon Sawan versus $1,103 in Koh Phangan – Nakhon Sawan is about 5% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How far does $1,500 go in Nakhon Sawan compared to Koh Phangan?
Either city works on $1,500 a month, though Nakhon Sawan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Nakhon Sawan and Koh Phangan?
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 Nakhon Sawan or Koh Phangan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Nakhon Sawan and Koh Phangan are both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.
How do I decide between Nakhon Sawan and Koh Phangan?
It comes down to priorities – Nakhon Sawan wins on affordability, Koh Phangan on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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