Cost of living in Thailand for a well-off household

A family of four living well in Thailand, with two children at upper-tier international schools, should budget about THB 300,000 to 400,000 a month in Bangkok and THB 220,000 to 300,000 in Phuket, rent included. A couple without school fees can live very comfortably on less than half of that. Adjust the lines below to your own household.

What the budget covers

Everyday prices are for an average resident household in Bangkok and Phuket in November 2026, and school fees are at 2026/2027 rates. A household with a large villa, a driver and frequent travel will spend more.

Monthly budget for a family of four

Item	Bangkok	Phuket
Everyday costs excluding rent	THB 86,500	THB 85,300
Rent, three-bedroom apartment	THB 78,400 in the centre	THB 47,200 to 65,400
School fees, two children, per month	THB 115,000 to 170,000	THB 75,000 to 125,000
Health insurance, help, second car	Quote individually	Quote individually
Our planning total	THB 300,000 to 400,000	THB 220,000 to 300,000

If you own your home, remove the rent line and add your building's common-area fee and the annual land and building tax. Both are covered in property taxes and buying costs.

School fees

Schooling is the cost that surprises people. At Bangkok's upper-tier schools, tuition for 2026/2027 runs from about THB 545,000 to 1.04 million a year at Bangkok Patana, THB 650,000 to 1.13 million at NIST and THB 681,000 to 1.22 million at International School Bangkok. In Phuket, British International School Phuket charges THB 489,000 to 982,700 and HeadStart THB 347,000 to 540,000.

The budget allows for two children in the middle years. Add application fees, deposits, uniforms, buses and trips, which schools charge separately. The full regional comparison is in international schools.

Housing

A three-bedroom apartment rents for about THB 78,400 a month in central Bangkok and THB 30,100 outside the centre. In Phuket it is THB 65,400 in the centre and THB 47,200 outside it. A large pool villa in a west-coast Phuket estate or a penthouse in central Bangkok will cost a multiple of those averages.

Buyers should compare rent with the cost of owning. Our rental yield calculator works in both directions. For where to look, start with Phuket and Bangkok.

Utilities, phone and internet

Basic utilities for an 85 sqm apartment cost about THB 3,560 a month in Bangkok and THB 3,300 in Phuket. A detached villa with a pool pump and air conditioning in every room will use several times that. Ask the seller or landlord for a year of electricity bills.

A mobile plan with at least 10 GB of data costs about THB 480 a month in Bangkok and THB 380 in Phuket. Home broadband is about THB 600. Setting these up is covered in banking and daily life.

Eating and drinking

Local food is cheap and good. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about THB 100 in Bangkok and THB 150 in Phuket. Three courses for two at a mid-range restaurant cost about THB 1,300 in Bangkok and THB 1,090 in Phuket, before drinks.

Imported goods change the sum. A mid-range bottle of wine costs about THB 600 in a shop, and restaurant wine lists are priced well above that. A household that eats Western food at home and drinks wine regularly will find its grocery bill closer to a European one.

Cars and transport

Thailand assembles cars, and local models are fairly priced: a new Toyota Corolla costs about THB 920,000 in Bangkok and THB 900,000 in Phuket. Imported models are priced well above their home-market levels. Petrol costs about THB 48 a litre.

Bangkok residents can live without a car near the rail lines. Phuket residents cannot. See flights and getting around.

Household help

A full-time housekeeper or nanny is normal for a family at this level, and villa owners usually add a gardener and pool service. Wages are agreed privately and vary with experience, language and whether the person lives in. Obtain two or three local quotations and budget for the legal obligations of an employer.

Healthcare and insurance

Private hospital care is of a high standard and is paid for at the point of use. Hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treatment. Carry private health insurance. The Long-Term Resident visa requires cover of at least USD 50,000. Premiums depend on age and history, so obtain a quotation. More in healthcare.

A couple without children

Remove school fees and the budget falls sharply. One person's costs excluding rent are about THB 23,700 a month in Bangkok and THB 23,300 in Phuket. For a couple who rent a good two-bedroom home, eat out most days, run a car and insure themselves properly, we would plan on THB 120,000 to 180,000 a month. Owners can deduct the rent.

Check which visa route fits with the visa pathfinder, and read the retirement visa and Long-Term Resident visa pages for current thresholds.

Cost of living in Thailand for a well-off household: questions buyers ask

Is Phuket more expensive than Bangkok?

For everyday spending they are close. A family of four spends about THB 85,300 a month in Phuket and THB 86,500 in Bangkok, excluding rent. Bangkok costs more for central rents and for the most expensive schools. Phuket costs more for casual dining and for larger homes outside the centre.

How much are international school fees in Thailand?

At the upper-tier schools, annual tuition for 2026/2027 runs from about THB 490,000 in the early years to THB 1.0 to 1.3 million in the final years. Phuket's highest fees are a little lower than Bangkok's, and mid-range schools charge THB 240,000 to 540,000.

What does a couple need to retire comfortably in Thailand?

One person's monthly costs in Bangkok are about THB 23,700 excluding rent. For a couple who own their home, eat out often, run a car and carry private health insurance, we would allow THB 100,000 to 150,000 a month. Insurance premiums rise with age, so get a quotation before fixing a budget.

Are cars expensive in Thailand?

Locally assembled models are reasonable. A new Toyota Corolla costs about THB 920,000 in Bangkok. Imported models cost far more than in their home markets, so check the Thai list price first. Petrol is about THB 48 a litre.