Should you’ve by no means been to Koh Samui, let me inform you, it’s one of probably the most unimaginable locations on the planet. I do know as a result of I lived there for two years and actually have a tattoo on my arm of the view I had -I beloved it that a lot!
One of the perfect issues about residing on this picturesque Thai island is the very inexpensive residing prices. The associated fee of residing in Koh Samui was a significant draw, and shortly you’ll see why.
Cost of Living in Koh Samui
One of my favourite issues about residing in Koh Samui was that I used to be in a position to save a ton of cash whereas residing in paradise. The associated fee of residing in Koh Samui is insanely low (in comparison with Western nations); nevertheless, do you have to want to, it additionally permits the chance for you to decide on to reside extra luxuriously too.
The record beneath comes from my very own private expertise, scouring dependable sources, and talking with different digital nomads who’ve lived on the island for a couple of months. On common, the fee of residing per 30 days for one individual is $1,139 and $2,497 for a household. Wonderful, proper?
Cost of Lodging in Koh Samui
There are numerous superb choices relating to lodging on Koh Samui. There are residences and bungalows, homes, villas, accommodations, and resorts – all with various costs and facilities. Right here’s a bit extra about every.
Residences/Bungalows
Once I lived on the island, I selected to reside in a one-bedroom bungalow. Bungalows and residences are nice choices for these staying each brief and long-term – and they are often fairly inexpensive. For instance, I paid $350 per 30 days in the city of Nathon.
On common, nevertheless, you’ll be able to count on to pay about ฿14,140 ($396.52) per 30 days for a one-bedroom in the middle of Chaweng or ฿13,000 ($364.56) exterior of the town. A 3-bedroom averages ฿42,500 ($1,191.81) in the favored areas or ฿36,666 ($1,028.21) a bit away. Many instances, utilities are usually not included.
The best solution to discover residences is thru Airbnb or through non-public rental corporations.
Homes
Should you’re trying for one thing just a little extra non-public or have a household and a bigger price range, renting a home is a good selection. There are attractive homes for lease scattered throughout the island, many with facilities such non-public swimming pools and outside baths.
Because it’s a whole dwelling you’re renting, costs are just a little extra steep. Anticipate to pay round $900-$1,800 per 30 days, relying on what you’re trying for. And also you’ll in all probability should pay further for utilities and cleansing providers.
You should utilize Airbnb and personal rental corporations to search out properties starting from the price range to the glamorous.
Villas
One factor about Koh Samui is that it’s dwelling to some insanely attractive villas throughout the island. As you’ll be able to think about, these could be fairly costly. However in case you have the price range, why not?
Many villas are both beachfront or up in the mountains with a view. Many have infinity swimming pools, non-public seashores, and even workers typically. Utilities are normally included when renting a villa however count on to pay wherever from ฿25,000 ($700) per 30 days for a 1-bedroom to ฿3,500,000 ($98,149) per 30 days for a 5-bedroom.
Most villas are booked by non-public corporations however some actual gems will also be discovered on Airbnb.
Lodges & Resorts
In fact, accommodations and resorts are at all times an possibility for shorter stays; and plenty of accommodations and hostels provide reductions for long-term charges. What’s good about these lodging is that so many issues are included, like housekeeping, utilities, and even breakfast.
Very similar to all of the housing choices, accommodations, resorts, and hostels can differ enormously in value. For instance, the common night time at a lodge is $21 and $452 per 30 days, the common night time at a resort is $153, and the common night time at a hostel is round $12.
Cost of Groceries in Koh Samui
By selecting to purchase groceries and cooking at dwelling, it can save you a critical quantity of cash. Groceries are low-cost, and there are supermarkets scattered all through the island – the most well-liked being Tops or Lotus. You may as well discover nice offers on the recent markets which are held every day. Listed here are some examples of the common costs you’ll be able to count on to pay for customary objects:
- Milk – 1 liter, 59 baht ($1.65 USD)
- Eggs – Dozen, 90 baht ($2.52 USD)
- Rice – 1 lb, 11 baht ($0.30 USD)
- Bread – 1 loaf, 42 baht ($1.18 USD)
- Beer – 0.5 liter home, 57 baht ($1.60 USD)
- Wine – 1 bottle of purple desk wine, 600 baht ($16.83 USD)
- Fruit – 1 lb various fruits, 14-48 baht ($0.39-$1.35 USD)
- Greens – 1 lb various veggies, 14-30 baht ($0.39-$0.84 USD)
- Poultry – 1 lb fillets, 39 baht ($1.09 USD)
- Beef – 1 lb spherical, 143 baht ($4.01 USD)
SIM Playing cards and WiFi
Should you’re planning on staying for a couple of months, you’ll need to issue in SIM playing cards and/or WiFi into your residing prices in Koh Samui. Each are very inexpensive and accessible throughout the island.
The most well-liked choices for SIM playing cards are usually AIS, DTAC, TrueMove, and CAT (4G & 5G). The primary three make up 97% of the market in Thailand, and so they’re probably the most dependable. Cellular information can value round $1.93 per 30 days for 10GB. If it’s a must to pay for WiFi in your private home, count on to pay about ฿506 ($14.09) for 60Mbps per 30 days.
Cost of Coworking Areas
There are fairly a couple of nice coworking areas on Koh Samui, that are preferrred for digital nomads planning on staying a couple of months. Some widespread decisions on the island embrace Be Productive, Natural Coworking Membership, and Desk and Chair.
Be Productive provides month-to-month plans for ฿6800 ($190.69 USD) per 30 days, Natural Coworking Membership has residences for lease which are particularly for digital nomads (message for costs), and Desk and Chair’s day-rate is ฿500 ($14.02 USD), ฿1,750 ($49.07 USD) for the week, and ฿6,895 for the month ($193.35 USD).
Public Transportation Prices
Getting across the small island of Koh Samui is tremendous straightforward, and you’ve got fairly a couple of choices. The commonest selection for digital nomads who’re staying for some time is a scooter. Different choices embrace taxis, automotive leases, songthaews (extra beneath), and shuttles.
- Scooter: Many digital nomads issue into their residing prices a month-to-month scooter rental. You possibly can work out offers for long-term charges, however the 3-day fee is normally round ฿200 ($5.61 USD).
- Taxi: Relying on the place you’re staying on the island, you would possibly be capable of stroll to many locations. Nonetheless, if you wish to get a taxi, charges begin at ฿50 ($1.40 USD) and about ฿58 ($1.63 USD) per mile.
- Automotive Rental: Renting a automotive can also be an possibility; nevertheless, it’s normally the most costly selection. Automotive leases normally begin at round $21 USD per day.
- Songthaew: A songthaew is a well-liked possibility for locals to get across the island and also you’re greater than welcome to hop on as nicely. These vans with a coated mattress with benches value about ฿50-100 ($1.40-2.80 USD) relying on the place you’re going.
- Shuttle: Should you occur to be heading to the airport, a shuttle is a good possibility. There’s normally a set value relying on the place you’re staying, and regular charges are about ฿500 ($14.02 USD).
Meals and Drinks in a Restaurant
The meals is one of my favourite issues about residing in Koh Samui. Thai meals is genuine and inexpensive, however you will discover all types of cuisines starting from road meals to Michelin-star eating places.
For instance, the fee of a meal at an affordable native restaurant can value simply ฿100 ($2.80) per individual, whereas the fee of a meal at a mid-range restaurant for two folks can value round ฿800 ($22.43). Excessive-end eating places could be nearly as costly as you’re keen to spend!
What I like concerning the island is that consuming out could be one of the most affordable residing prices in Koh Samui. I had some of the perfect meals of my life on the native night time markets, however it was at all times good to splurge each every so often. In spite of everything, you’ll be able to afford it because you’re spending so little elsewhere!
Should you’re trying for an alcholic beverage together with your meal, count on to pay round $16 for a bottle of wine, $2 for a big bottle of home beer, and $5 for a cocktail. Maintain an eye fixed out for 2-for-1 offers, blissful hour specials, and lunch units at many eating places and cafes.
Healthcare in Koh Samui
Common medical care and pressing care is out there in Koh Samui, in addition to many dentists. I truly acquired a set of crowns fitted on the island and completely love them (they had been a fraction of the fee of what I’d pay in the States!).
If you wish to go to a basic practitioner on Koh Samui for common check-ups or visits, digital nomads can count on to pay round ฿1,500 ($42.06) for a brief appoitment. If you wish to get your tooth cleaned at one of the handfuls of dentists on the island, the fee is round ฿1200-1800 ($33.65-$50.48).
Miscellaneous Prices in Koh Samui
The associated fee of residing in Koh Samui is tremendous inexpensive in practically each approach. As a result of of this, you’ll be able to spend your disposable revenue on the enjoyable stuff.
- Haircut: Should you’re something like me, your hair will develop tremendous quick in the solar. Anticipate to spend round ฿400 ($11.22).
- Espresso at a Cafe: Getting your caffeine repair received’t break the financial institution. A cappuccino prices about ฿82 ($2.30).
- Ticket to the Cinema: Catch the most recent flick on the theater for round ฿532 ($14.92) for two tickets.
- Health club Membership: There are numerous gymnasium decisions on Koh Samui; the common value is round ฿1,250 ($35) per 30 days.
Suggestions for Saving Prices whereas Living in Koh Samui
Although the general prices of residing in Koh Samui are usually low, there are some easy tricks to prevent much more cash.
1. Eat road meals or at native eating places
As I discussed earlier, the road meals was some of probably the most scrumptious meals I’ve ever had. And it’s so low-cost! By consuming at night time markets, road distributors, and native eating places, you’ll positively reduce down in your prices in Koh Samui.
2. Get round by songthaew
Hopping on a songthaew is by far the most affordable mode of transportation to get across the island. It may be just a little intimidating at first – it’s a very distinctive sort of transport – however it’s truly fairly enjoyable and positively saves you cash.
3. Take out massive sums of cash
Having money available is at all times a good suggestion in Koh Samui as a result of many locations and distributors don’t take playing cards, and in the event that they do, they cost a payment. Since ATMS across the island may even cost a payment, it’s finest to take out bigger sums of cash at a time to save lots of you.
Be sure to retailer your cash in a secure and safe space, ideally a locked secure.
4. Barter on the markets
Whether or not you’re buying for fruits and veggies, recent fish, or souvenirs, you can probably get your value down with some easy bartering. Don’t be afraid to barter, because it’s fairly regular, and the Thai persons are extraordinarily good and welcoming.
5. Ask your landlord or lodge about scooter leases
There are tons of scooter rental locations all all through the island. Nonetheless, in the event you’ve constructed a superb relationship together with your landlord or lodge workers, likelihood is, they’ve a hook-up. When you’ve moved in and established a rapport, ask them if there are any offers on a long-term scooter rental.
Cost of Living in Koh Samui FAQs:
Listed here are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions concerning the residing prices in Koh Samui:
For one individual, the common month-to-month value of residing in Koh Samui is $1,139, and $2,497 for a household.
You possibly can reside very comfortably in Koh Samui off of round $2,000 per 30 days.
You possibly can simply reside off of $3,000 per 30 days in Koh Samui – fairly luxuriously. The common value of residing in Koh Samui is about $1,139 per 30 days for one individual.
In comparison with the U.S., Koh Samui just isn’t an costly vacation spot in any respect. Nonetheless, it’s one of the dearer islands in Thailand, and there’s at all times the choice to do issues high-end.
The most cost effective areas to reside in Koh Samui are Lamai, Nathon, and Mae Nam.
The most costly areas to reside in Koh Samui are Chaweng and Bo Phut.
It’s not costly to reside in Koh Samui (in the event you don’t need it to be). The common individual spends about $1,200 per 30 days for all their prices in Koh Samui.
In Closing
My two years of residing in Koh Samui had been some of probably the most magical I’ve ever skilled. Not solely is it breathtakingly stunning, however the tradition is unimaginable, and the fee of residing is very inexpensive.
Should you’re a digital nomad trying for someplace to name dwelling for a couple of weeks, a couple of months, or extra, Koh Samui must be on the prime of your record.