Last update: Oct 2026 Thailand 156.8K

Cost of Living in Hat Yai

For one person, living costs in Hat Yai are estimated at $731 a month, including rent and utilities – 24% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Hat Yai

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

Living costs for one person come to about $731 monthly including rent, or $539 excluding housing.

$731 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,300 with rent, or $964 without housing.

$1,300 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,870 including rent, or $1,389 for daily expenses alone.

$1,870 /mo

Hat Yai sits 34–46% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are well below average (31% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Hat Yai? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.90 ฿96.9
$1.74 ฿58.1
$5.80 ฿194
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.67 ฿1,460
$20.38 ฿681
$51.0 ฿1,703
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.66 ฿122
$3.21 ฿107
$4.12 ฿138
Cappuccino
$2.88 ฿96.3
$1.82 ฿60.8
$3.34 ฿112
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 ฿44.34
$0.61 ฿20.28
$1.83 ฿61.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿18.60
$0.46 ฿15.50
$0.61 ฿20.33
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.80 ฿60.1
$1.51 ฿50.3
$2.10 ฿70.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 ฿116
$2.89 ฿96.5
$3.46 ฿116
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.55
$1.45 ฿48.55
$1.45 ฿48.55
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 ฿41.68
$1.22 ฿40.66
$1.28 ฿42.71
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.28
$1.17 ฿38.98
$1.31 ฿43.90
Eggs
$2.51 ฿83.9
$2.39 ฿79.8
$2.64 ฿88.4
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.15 ฿740
$20.95 ฿700
$23.35 ฿780
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.24 ฿74.7
$2.17 ฿72.5
$2.31 ฿77.3
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.19 ฿374
$10.44 ฿349
$11.93 ฿399
Apples (1kg)
$2.54 ฿84.8
$2.40 ฿80.1
$2.69 ฿89.8
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.10
$1.31 ฿43.81
$1.46 ฿48.71
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 ฿63.3
$1.75 ฿58.4
$2.04 ฿68.2
Tomato (1kg)
$1.80 ฿60.3
$0.87 ฿28.99
$2.89 ฿96.7
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.94
$1.05 ฿35.10
$2.07 ฿69.2
Onion (1kg)
$1.03 ฿34.38
$0.88 ฿29.43
$1.18 ฿39.34
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ฿35.74
$0.58 ฿19.35
$1.17 ฿39.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 ฿13.57
$0.37 ฿12.53
$0.44 ฿14.62
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.36 ฿146
$4.21 ฿141
$4.51 ฿151
Wine (Bottle)
$15.03 ฿502
$15.01 ฿502
$15.04 ฿503
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 ฿59.2
$1.60 ฿53.4
$1.95 ฿65.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ฿66.4
$1.83 ฿61.3
$2.14 ฿71.6
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.57 ฿18.98
$0.57 ฿18.98
$0.57 ฿18.98
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.25 ฿41.71
$1.17 ฿39.08
$2.92 ฿97.5
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.13 ฿37.78
$0.67 ฿22.32
$1.83 ฿61.1
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.94 ฿165
$2.85 ฿95.3
$9.05 ฿302
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29 ฿43.15
$1.23 ฿41.17
$1.35 ฿45.12
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9K ฿630.6K
$18.1K ฿605.4K
$19.6K ฿655.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$45.1K ฿1.5M
$36.1K ฿1.2M
$54.1K ฿1.8M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$84.4 ฿2,819
$74.2 ฿2,478
$94.6 ฿3,160
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.75 ฿393
$6.04 ฿202
$18.11 ฿605
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.65 ฿322
$8.74 ฿292
$10.56 ฿353
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.45 ฿1,619
$39.37 ฿1,316
$60.6 ฿2,024
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.10 ฿471
$0.89 ฿29.68
$14.10 ฿471
Cinema Ticket
$7.19 ฿240
$7.05 ฿235
$7.34 ฿245
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$562 ฿18.8K
$343 ฿11.5K
$1,068 ฿35.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K ฿357.3K
$5,869 ฿196.1K
$20.9K ฿698.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.54 ฿1,255
$36.03 ฿1,204
$39.03 ฿1,305
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.26 ฿878
$23.34 ฿780
$29.18 ฿975
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.9 ฿2,369
$66.3 ฿2,217
$75.4 ฿2,520
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.3 ฿3,250
$89.8 ฿3,000
$105 ฿3,500
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$270 ฿9,010
$210 ฿7,008
$300 ฿10.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$107 ฿3,576
$73.0 ฿2,438
$175 ฿5,852
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$729 ฿24.4K
$539 ฿18.0K
$899 ฿30.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$397 ฿13.3K
$298 ฿9,949
$447 ฿14.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,915 ฿64.0K
$1,176 ฿39.3K
$2,500 ฿83.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,584 ฿52.9K
$1,148 ฿38.4K
$1,584 ฿52.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$452 ฿15.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.36
5
7.72

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Hat Yai $731
Groceries & Markets
$249
Accommodation & Living
$107
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$106
Clothing & Footwear
$104
Eating Out
$92
Sport & Entertainment
$63
Getting Around
$9.2 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $270 for a central one-bedroom, or $107 outside the center. At 60% of the average salary ($452), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $452, while typical expenses reach $731. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $249 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $44.00 for two – above the Asian average of $36.00.

Cost Highlights

Chicken fillets is cheaper than 93% of cities in Asia

Hat Yai is cheaper than 81% globally but more expensive than 52% within Asia.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
22:53 10:53 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
156,802
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

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Hat Yai Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Hat Yai - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Hat Yai, for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get good value there?
Hat Yai tends to offer a practical balance of affordability and access for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Street food is plentiful and inexpensive, groceries cover diverse options, and you can find mid-range apartments with reliable utilities without paying big-city rents. Public transport and ride-hailing options are straightforward, and everyday services cover daily needs without hassle. If you value value-for-money and a functional lifestyle, Cost of Living in Hat Yai, Thailand often feels manageable for longer stays. Tip: compare neighborhoods by convenience and amenities to optimize your budget.
What does daily life look like in Hat Yai in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and coworking spaces?
Daily life in Hat Yai centers on practical convenience: you'll find a range of housing options from compact studios to larger apartments, often with friendly rents by neighborhood. For food, markets and street stalls are abundant, offering cheap breakfasts and easy lunches, while modern malls bring international choices when needed. Transport is straightforward: tuk-tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis cover most routes, with a growing number of coworking spaces for remote work. Errands are simple thanks to well-served supermarkets and local banks. Hat Yai, Thailand living cost tends to feel predictable for short and longer visits alike. Tip: scout a neighborhood near main transit routes to save time.
What contributes to quality of life in Hat Yai, and what budgeting strategies, seasonality considerations, and neighborhood choices should you weigh?
Quality of life in Hat Yai balances warmth, accessibility, and a growing remote-work scene. A practical budgeting framework is to allocate funds by housing, food, transport, and activities, then adjust with longer stays or shared options. Seasonality matters: the climate leans hot for much of the year, with a distinct wet period, so plan for light clothing and rain gear. Neighborhood fit depends on your rhythm: central areas suit coffee shops and quick errands, while calmer suburbs offer longer leases and quieter evenings. Tip: start with a month-long stay in a few neighborhoods to gauge internet, noise, and daily pace.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Hat Yai?
About 60% of the average paycheck in Hat Yai goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.
What is the average cost of living in Hat Yai?
A single person in Hat Yai typically spends $731 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $539. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
Is the average salary in Hat Yai enough to cover living costs?
An average salary of $452 technically covers the $731 monthly cost of living in Hat Yai, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.
What are typical rents in Hat Yai?
Where you live in Hat Yai makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $270; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $107. Overall, the market runs from $107 to $270 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How cheap is food in Hat Yai?
Hat Yai is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $249, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
How expensive is a gym membership in Hat Yai?
Fitness in Hat Yai is cheap at around $48.45 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
Can you live on $800 a month in Hat Yai?
$800 stretches far in Hat Yai – all-in monthly costs average only $731. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Hat Yai a good city for digital nomads?
Remote workers pick Hat Yai for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, all at about $731 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.
Can you save money living in Hat Yai?
Monthly expenses in Hat Yai run around $731, so putting money aside takes more than $1,096 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Hat Yai good for backpackers on a budget?
Budget travelers love Hat Yai – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $731 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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