😐A single person spends $800 per month in Surat Thani vs $760 in Xalapa, Veracruz, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,316 per month in Surat Thani vs $1,262 in Xalapa, Veracruz, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,833 per month in Surat Thani vs $1,764 in Xalapa, Veracruz, rent included.
😐Surat Thani costs about 5% more than Xalapa, Veracruz, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Surat Thani and Xalapa, Veracruz are more affordable than the global median – Surat Thani40% lower, Xalapa, Veracruz43% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.97฿66.1
$6.16MX$107
-68.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.49฿622
$36.47MX$635
-49.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.73฿159
$6.18MX$108
-23.46%
Cappuccino
$1.52฿51.0
$2.62MX$45.59
-41.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47฿15.95
$1.38MX$23.95
-65.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32฿10.86
$1.11MX$19.28
-71.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44฿82.0
$2.10MX$36.57
16.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67฿123
$3.15MX$54.8
16.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.04฿68.5
$1.16MX$20.12
75.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.24฿41.68
$2.10MX$36.54
-40.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.11฿37.29
$1.94MX$33.71
-42.78%
Eggs
$1.95฿65.7
$2.38MX$41.47
-18.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.67฿661
$6.84MX$119
187.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.64฿123
$6.82MX$119
-46.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.54฿253
$9.88MX$172
-23.68%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26฿110
$2.92MX$50.9
11.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70฿57.2
$1.52MX$26.43
11.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.14฿71.9
$2.05MX$35.70
4.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.71฿57.5
$1.39MX$24.16
23.02%
Potato(1kg)
$1.21฿40.54
$1.93MX$33.68
-37.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.48฿49.79
$1.17MX$20.33
26.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03฿34.55
$1.18MX$20.56
-12.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41฿13.91
$0.76MX$13.25
-46.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15฿106
$4.07MX$70.9
-22.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.59฿625
$10.19MX$177
82.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57฿52.9
$1.15MX$20.02
36.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65฿89.2
$1.96MX$34.06
35.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.10฿36.90
$0.50MX$8.74
120.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.66฿728
$15.29MX$266
41.66%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.11฿37.19
$1.37MX$23.91
-18.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66฿22.29
$0.30MX$5.26
120.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.66฿123
$5.32MX$92.7
-31.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26฿42.27
$1.35MX$23.47
-6.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K฿934.5K
$14.8KMX$257.5K
87.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K฿1.1M
$23.6KMX$411.2K
39.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.9฿2,585
$40.53MX$706
89.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.74฿462
$22.19MX$386
-38.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.81฿633
$23.70MX$413
-20.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.95฿1,680
$23.29MX$406
114.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.18฿410
$19.91MX$347
-38.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.71฿158
$6.45MX$112
-26.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$682฿22.9K
$130MX$2,267
424.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.6K฿525.7K
$10.6KMX$184.2K
47.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.6฿1,972
$35.34MX$615
65.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.37฿1,156
$44.72MX$779
-23.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115฿3,863
$77.4MX$1,347
48.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.6฿2,846
$50.9MX$887
66.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$243฿8,169
$225MX$3,911
8.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$153฿5,155
$167MX$2,907
-8.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$691฿23.2K
$468MX$8,142
47.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$410฿13.8K
$394MX$6,865
4.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,174฿73.1K
$2,011MX$35.0K
8.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,619฿54.5K
$1,025MX$17.8K
58.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surat Thani
Xalapa, Veracruz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$841MX$14.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.33
11.34
-53.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surat Thani: July 13, 2026
Last update for Xalapa, Veracruz: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $243 in Surat Thani versus $225 in Xalapa, Veracruz. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Surat Thani versus $36.00 in Xalapa, Veracruz. Groceries tell a different story – $254 in Surat Thani vs $225 in Xalapa, Veracruz – so Xalapa, Veracruz wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Surat Thani vs Xalapa, Veracruz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Surat Thani and in Xalapa, Veracruz compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $800 in Surat Thani, $760 in Xalapa, Veracruz – roughly 5% apart. Surat Thani costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Surat Thani compared to Xalapa, Veracruz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,200 per month in Surat Thani and $1,139 in Xalapa, Veracruz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Surat Thani and Xalapa, Veracruz?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Xalapa, Veracruz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Surat Thani and Xalapa, Veracruz?
Kindergarten costs $682 per month in Surat Thani and $130 in Xalapa, Veracruz. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Surat Thani, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How far does $1,000 go in Surat Thani compared to Xalapa, Veracruz?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $800 in Surat Thani and $760 in Xalapa, Veracruz, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Surat Thani or Xalapa, Veracruz?
Families tend to lean toward Xalapa, Veracruz – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Surat Thani or Xalapa, Veracruz safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Surat Thani and Xalapa, Veracruz?
If budget matters most, go with Xalapa, Veracruz. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Surat Thani makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Surat Thani vs other spots: cost of living compared