Last update: Oct 2026 Thailand 132K

Cost of Living in Surat Thani

For one person, living costs in Surat Thani are estimated at $775 a month, including rent and utilities – 19% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Surat Thani

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

A single person spends around $775 per month with rent, or $553 for everyday expenses alone.

$775 /mo

A couple spends around $1,414 per month with rent, or $912 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,414 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,053 per month with rent, or $1,271 without housing.

$2,053 /mo

Overall, Surat Thani is 28–43% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 27% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Surat Thani? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.89 ฿63.0
$1.81 ฿60.7
$9.06 ฿303
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.87 ฿597
$17.87 ฿597
$89.3 ฿2,985
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.51 ฿151
$4.51 ฿151
$10.04 ฿336
Cappuccino
$1.50 ฿50.2
$1.20 ฿40.05
$4.51 ฿151
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ฿16.68
$0.37 ฿12.51
$1.91 ฿63.9
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ฿9.66
$0.23 ฿7.73
$0.89 ฿29.62
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.56 ฿85.4
$1.78 ฿59.4
$4.02 ฿134
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 ฿123
$2.96 ฿98.9
$5.94 ฿198
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 ฿55.4
$1.28 ฿42.92
$2.89 ฿96.6
White Bread (500g)
$1.19 ฿39.89
$0.88 ฿29.34
$2.94 ฿98.2
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.13
$0.82 ฿27.29
$3.23 ฿108
Eggs
$1.87 ฿62.4
$1.42 ฿47.48
$2.84 ฿95.0
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.18 ฿641
$10.29 ฿344
$35.26 ฿1,178
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.33 ฿111
$2.29 ฿76.5
$8.82 ฿295
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.44 ฿249
$7.44 ฿249
$13.39 ฿447
Apples (1kg)
$2.91 ฿97.2
$1.34 ฿44.62
$5.28 ฿176
Banana (1kg)
$1.68 ฿56.3
$0.90 ฿30.19
$3.30 ฿110
Oranges (1kg)
$1.76 ฿58.7
$1.17 ฿39.05
$2.63 ฿88.0
Tomato (1kg)
$2.05 ฿68.4
$1.31 ฿43.65
$2.90 ฿97.1
Potato (1kg)
$1.30 ฿43.57
$1.01 ฿33.82
$1.74 ฿58.2
Onion (1kg)
$1.37 ฿45.90
$0.91 ฿30.26
$2.42 ฿80.9
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.11 ฿37.24
$0.61 ฿20.50
$1.30 ฿43.39
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 ฿13.66
$0.23 ฿7.81
$1.45 ฿48.46
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.07 ฿103
$2.45 ฿81.9
$4.60 ฿154
Wine (Bottle)
$18.86 ฿630
$15.14 ฿506
$39.35 ฿1,315
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ฿51.6
$1.32 ฿44.01
$2.63 ฿88.0
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82 ฿60.7
$1.51 ฿50.6
$3.64 ฿121
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.02 ฿34.00
$0.59 ฿19.61
$1.46 ฿48.71
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.95 ฿700
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.50
$1.18 ฿39.50
$2.96 ฿98.9
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.63 ฿21.05
$0.44 ฿14.57
$1.44 ฿48.25
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.49 ฿117
$2.58 ฿86.3
$4.81 ฿161
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 ฿38.93
$1.02 ฿34.02
$1.55 ฿51.7
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K ฿890.1K
$20.7K ฿692.3K
$46.7K ฿1.6M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K ฿911.7K
$27.1K ฿904.8K
$27.5K ฿920.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.9 ฿2,437
$70.7 ฿2,363
$125 ฿4,185
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.12 ฿372
$7.38 ฿247
$17.12 ฿572
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.32 ฿579
$12.01 ฿401
$26.97 ฿901
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.24 ฿1,612
$45.22 ฿1,511
$51.3 ฿1,713
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.52 ฿385
$1.54 ฿51.4
$11.52 ฿385
Cinema Ticket
$4.53 ฿151
$4.53 ฿151
$8.45 ฿282
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$549 ฿18.3K
$343 ฿11.4K
$940 ฿31.4K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K ฿386.5K
$8,452 ฿282.5K
$18.0K ฿601.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.9 ฿2,070
$29.23 ฿977
$105 ฿3,517
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.16 ฿974
$24.11 ฿806
$32.15 ฿1,075
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.3 ฿3,252
$60.4 ฿2,019
$121 ฿4,039
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5 ฿2,892
$58.5 ฿1,956
$117 ฿3,911
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$237 ฿7,910
$227 ฿7,573
$242 ฿8,078
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 ฿4,985
$89.5 ฿2,991
$179 ฿5,983
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,150 ฿38.4K
$565 ฿18.9K
$1,276 ฿42.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$709 ฿23.7K
$372 ฿12.4K
$918 ฿30.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,226 ฿74.4K
$1,112 ฿37.2K
$2,676 ฿89.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,404 ฿46.9K
$929 ฿31.0K
$1,438 ฿48.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
3
7.5

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

Last update: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Surat Thani $775
Groceries & Markets
$244
Accommodation & Living
$149
Clothing & Footwear
$124
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$101
Eating Out
$70
Sport & Entertainment
$57
Getting Around
$29

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $244 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $18.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $20.95 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33.00).

Cost Highlights

Surat Thani is cheaper than 79% globally but more expensive than 59% within Asia.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
17:47 5:47 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
132,040
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

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Surat Thani Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Surat Thani - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability in Surat Thani compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Surat Thani offers a balance of value and simplicity that many nomads appreciate. You’ll find affordable street food and groceries, inexpensive public transport, and a range of clean basic accommodations outside the tourist hubs. The city is smaller and less chaotic than Bangkok or Phuket, which often translates into lower daily costs and an easier pace for work and study. Cost of Living in Surat Thani, Thailand is a useful reference when you compare options, since it highlights the combination of low everyday expenses and sensible housing by local standards. Tip: Start with a short stay to test comfort and neighborhood fit.
What does a typical day look like for housing, food, transport, and coworking in Surat Thani?
Daily life centers on practical routines. Housing options range from modest apartments to guesthouses, often with flexible leases aligned to your stay length. For food, you can lean on bustling markets and street stalls offering fresh, seasonal produce and simple meals that won’t break the bank. Transport is approachable: you’ll use songthaews, motorbike taxis, or rented scooters for flexibility. If you’re freelancing, cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi and a quiet corner help you stay productive. Surat Thani, Thailand living cost stays comfortably manageable for a long stay, especially when you cook some meals at home. Tip: Build a weekly errand route to save trips.
What budgeting approach and neighborhood fit would maximize your quality of life while visiting Surat Thani?
Quality of life here comes from balance and pace. To plan effectively, build a simple budgeting framework: differentiate essentials (housing, food, transport) from discretionary activities (short trips, outings, coworking) and set repeatable routines to avoid overspending. Seasonality shapes your plans: the rainy season can alter island trips and indoor activity, while dry spells bring clearer skies and outdoor options. Neighborhood fit matters: many travelers like central ease near markets and transit, while others prefer quieter riverside pockets or outskirts with more green space. Tip: Prioritize a neighborhood trial and use short-term stays to sample different vibes.
What are the monthly living expenses in Surat Thani as of 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Surat Thani should plan on about $775 per month with rent, or $553 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Surat Thani a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
By most standards, Surat Thani is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $775, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Surat Thani?
You'll want at least $1,163 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Surat Thani. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
Is Surat Thani a good place to find cheap rent?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Surat Thani – 1-bedroom apartments range from $149 to $237 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
How expensive is preschool in Surat Thani per month?
Private kindergarten in Surat Thani costs about $549 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Surat Thani?
A gym membership in Surat Thani runs about $48.24 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Surat Thani?
$1,200 a month in Surat Thani? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $775, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What are the pros and cons of living in Surat Thani?
Quality of life in Surat Thani is solid. Standout factors include fast internet, low crime rates, café culture, backed by good public transport, varied dining and leisure, and well-maintained infrastructure. At about $775 monthly all-in, it suits mid-range budgets for a comfortable – if not luxurious – lifestyle.
Is Surat Thani budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Surat Thani is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $775 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Surat Thani?
Surat Thani is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $775 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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