Cost of Living in Bangkok

Bangkok, being the capital, and the most populous city in Thailand, also only has an average salary of 16,000 baht. The average income of a worker in Bangkok is quite enough to pay for their expenses and accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and food. 

Bangkok has one of the cheapest cost of living in Asia. There are several options for food depending on your budget, and street food is also quite prominent and delicious in the city. Apartment or house rentals, even with the increase in property prices, are also quite affordable.

Housing

There are several options for housing in Bangkok. From high-rise condos in the city centre to more traditional houses in the city's suburbs.

Monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Bangkok would cost around USD$1,400, while rent for a three bedroom flat outside the city centre would be around USD$820.

A 1 bedroom flat in the city centre would cost around USD$570-600, while one bedroom flat outside the city centre would cost around USD$250.

Transport

Thailand's government is putting a lot of effort into improving the public transport system in the city of Bangkok. There are several public transport systems available currently, such as the MRT (Bangkok Metro), Bangkok Bus, The BTS Sky Trains, taxis, and the Bangkok waterway systems Chao Phraya Express and Khlong. There are also the famous "tuk-tuks" which are the cheapest and a slightly more dangerous way to get around the city. The average monthly cost of public transport in Bangkok would be USD$30.

Food

Thailand is one of Asia’s Major destinations for tourists, and almost all of these tourists and visitors of Thailand go through Bangkok. Bangkok is known well for its exquisite food and wild nightlife. A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in the city centre would cost around USD$25, while a cheap meal on the streets or in inexpensive restaurants would cost an average of USD$1.80. A regular weekly grocery shopping would cost around USD$30 for all your basic weekly needs.

Entertainment

Parks and zoos are also part of their amusement and entertainment. The “Lumphini Park” is Bangkok’s most popular and oldest existing park. It is known to be one of the few “green spaces” in the congested city. Bars and restaurants are lined on the northern side of the park, and, although it is not legal to bring elephants to the city limits, trainers often bring their giant creatures of attraction to offer tourist rides for a fairly modest fee.

Bars and restaurants are lined on the northern side of the park, and, although it is not legal to bring elephants to the city limits, trainers often bring their giant creatures of attraction to offer tourist rides for a fairly modest fee. Two movie tickets would cost around USD$12 and two theatre tickets would cost around USD$30 for good seats. A basic dinner and night out for two people would cost a total average of USD$20.