Cost of Living in Pai - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Pai
Address: Pai, TH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $535 (excluding rent), and $887 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,288 (excluding rent), and $2,003 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.13 ฿98.5

$1.57 ฿49.24

$6.26 ฿197

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.17 ฿760

$16.62 ฿523

$42.31 ฿1,330

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.96 ฿219

$6.12 ฿193

$9.97 ฿313

Cappuccino

$2.10 ฿65.9

$1.26 ฿39.56

$3.79 ฿119

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 ฿22.21

$0.52 ฿16.33

$1.28 ฿40.18

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿10.88

$0.24 ฿7.55

$0.60 ฿18.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 ฿69.7

$1.58 ฿49.66

$3.79 ฿119

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 ฿111

$2.40 ฿75.5

$5.41 ฿170

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 ฿55.1

$1.38 ฿43.53

$3.11 ฿97.6

White Bread (500g)

$1.36 ฿42.79

$0.98 ฿30.70

$2.87 ฿90.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 ฿41.55

$0.82 ฿25.77

$2.30 ฿72.5

Eggs

$2.05 ฿64.5

$1.47 ฿46.13

$2.57 ฿80.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.51 ฿551

$9.39 ฿295

$37.56 ฿1,181

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.05 ฿96.0

$1.86 ฿58.6

$5.58 ฿176

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.92 ฿343

$4.60 ฿145

$18.41 ฿579

Apples (1kg)

$2.86 ฿89.9

$1.38 ฿43.23

$5.18 ฿163

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 ฿37.56

$0.76 ฿23.90

$2.43 ฿76.4

Oranges (1kg)

$1.90 ฿59.8

$1.01 ฿31.63

$2.93 ฿92.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿47.08

$0.89 ฿28.13

$2.67 ฿84.1

Potato (1kg)

$1.55 ฿48.79

$0.93 ฿29.34

$2.19 ฿68.9

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 ฿39.82

$0.95 ฿29.78

$2.47 ฿77.7

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 ฿32.18

$0.63 ฿19.95

$1.26 ฿39.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ฿15.05

$0.30 ฿9.33

$0.88 ฿27.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 ฿137

$3.29 ฿103

$4.90 ฿154

Wine (Bottle)

$18.60 ฿585

$12.41 ฿390

$24.81 ฿780

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 ฿55.0

$1.33 ฿41.91

$2.35 ฿73.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.68 ฿84.3

$1.50 ฿47.21

$4.50 ฿142

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿28.29

$0.38 ฿11.99

$1.20 ฿37.82

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.06 ฿33.20

$2.11 ฿66.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.14 ฿35.70

$0.62 ฿19.53

$1.71 ฿53.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.03 ฿190

$4.98 ฿156

$12.07 ฿379

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ฿40.60

$1.09 ฿34.26

$1.43 ฿45.05

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.4K ฿860.2K

$21.3K ฿669.0K

$47.8K ฿1.5M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K ฿858.4K

$27.2K ฿855.6K

$30.9K ฿972.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$74.7 ฿2,348

$50.2 ฿1,579

$152 ฿4,775

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.42 ฿422

$6.18 ฿194

$21.30 ฿670

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.24 ฿573

$12.83 ฿403

$30.39 ฿956

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.23 ฿1,548

$29.23 ฿919

$61.5 ฿1,935

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.22 ฿384

$4.01 ฿126

$12.22 ฿384

Cinema Ticket

$6.76 ฿212

$4.56 ฿143

$9.12 ฿287

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$293 ฿9,220

$182 ฿5,706

$744 ฿23.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,492 ฿298.4K

$7,578 ฿238.3K

$23.2K ฿729.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.81 ฿1,000

$21.31 ฿670

$83.7 ฿2,632

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.50 ฿1,085

$15.49 ฿487

$62.0 ฿1,948

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.0 ฿2,577

$60.9 ฿1,914

$137 ฿4,308

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.1 ฿2,047

$36.34 ฿1,143

$106 ฿3,333

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$453 ฿14.2K

$312 ฿9,824

$594 ฿18.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$264 ฿8,293

$159 ฿5,012

$383 ฿12.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$807 ฿25.4K

$611 ฿19.2K

$1,209 ฿38.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$666 ฿20.9K

$375 ฿11.8K

$781 ฿24.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,446 ฿76.9K

$1,221 ฿38.4K

$2,446 ฿76.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,847 ฿58.1K

$526 ฿16.5K

$1,934 ฿60.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.45

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Pai Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

225

Mbps

202

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Pai - Frequently Asked Questions

Pai is a small, scenic town in northern Thailand where affordability tends to lean toward a slower pace and simple comforts. For most travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the overall cost of living sits in a comfortable range: inexpensive street food and guesthouses mix with occasional higher-priced Western comforts. You will find a spectrum of accommodations – from budget bungalows to modest apartments – often with flexible leases that suit short or long stays. Shopping at local markets and cooking at home helps stabilize daily expenses, while services and experiences in peak season can rise gradually. Cost of Living in Pai, Thailand offers steady value for mindful visitors. Tip: Map out neighborhoods and test a few weeks of groceries to gauge true costs.

Daily life in Pai blends nature under forested hills with a laid-back town center. For housing, look beyond the main drag: hillside bungalows, riverside guesthouses, and small apartments can offer longer-term options with flexible terms. Food options range from busy night markets to quiet cafes with reliable Wi-Fi, so you can grab a cheap bite or an energizing lunch for a few hours of work. Getting around is easy by scooter or bicycle, and walking is pleasant in the compact town. For errands and coworkers, there are occasional coworking spaces and community spots that suit a remote routine. Pai, Thailand living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so plan ahead. Tip: Start with a short stay to test Wi-Fi, noise, and access to groceries.

Quality of life in Pai comes from a balance between simple pleasures and practical budgeting. Start with a flexible monthly framework: secure a comfortable base in a walkable neighborhood, set aside regular grocery and utility buffers, and reserve a portion for occasional experiences like hot springs or a market night. Compare housing by term and location – riverfront spots feel atmospheric but can be pricier than hillside or rural options but save on transport. For day-to-day living, choose a reliable cafe or coworking spot with steady Wi-Fi and plan meals around local markets. Seasonality affects crowds and pace, so adjust your routines accordingly. Tip: Build a two-tier plan – essential essentials and discretionary perks – and revisit quarterly.