Edition 9 September 2026
Bangkok
A basic month in Bangkok runs $970. A comfortable one runs $2,180. Both are totals for one person, all in, including rent, at the rates of 8 September 2026.
Excellent transit, bad air
- A basic month
- $970
- A comfortable month
- $2,180
- Visa
- DTV, 5 yrs
- Public transport
- Excellent
- Air
- Bad Dec–Apr
Who Bangkok suits, and who it does not
Choose Bangkok if you want the most options. It has the best transit in mainland Southeast Asia and real housing at every price. It has the region's best hospitals and its second-best airport connections after Singapore. And it has the best long-stay visa here for remote workers. Everything works. Nothing is cheap in the way Phnom Penh is cheap, and nothing is expensive in the way Singapore is expensive.
Do not choose Bangkok if any of the following is you.
- You have asthma or any respiratory condition.
- You need to work for a Thai employer or take Thai clients.
- You want to drive.
- Your budget is under about $1,200 a month.
- You want to walk everywhere.
The guide gives the reason behind each one, with its figures.
Where people actually live
- Nana to Asok — Sukhumvit Soi 1 to 23
- Phrom Phong, Thong Lo and Ekkamai — Soi 24 to 63
- On Nut, Phra Khanong and Punnawithi — Soi 50 to 101
- Sathorn and Silom
- Ari
- Ratchada, Huai Khwang and Rama 9
- The riverside — Khlong San and Charoen Krung
- Bang Na and Lat Phrao
The rest of the city
Compare Bangkok
Thailand rules
Other cities in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket
Edition 9 September 2026. Every figure carries the date it was true and the source it came from. We last changed this page on 21 September 2026.