If you happen to’ve by no means been to Koh Samui, let me inform you, it’s one of the unimaginable locations on the planet. I do know as a result of I lived there for 2 years and also have a tattoo on my arm of the view I had -I cherished it that a lot!
Among the finest issues about dwelling on this picturesque Thai island is the very reasonably priced dwelling prices. The price of dwelling in Koh Samui was a significant draw, and shortly you’ll see why.
Value of Residing in Koh Samui
Certainly one of my favourite issues about dwelling in Koh Samui was that I used to be capable of save a ton of cash whereas dwelling in paradise. The price of dwelling in Koh Samui is insanely low (in comparison with Western international locations); nevertheless, must you want to, it additionally permits the chance so that you can select to reside extra luxuriously too.
The checklist beneath comes from my very own private expertise, scouring reliable sources, and talking with different digital nomads who’ve lived on the island for just a few months. On common, the cost of living per month for one individual is $1,139 and $2,497 for a household. Wonderful, proper?
Value of Lodging in Koh Samui
There are lots of wonderful choices in relation to lodging on Koh Samui. There are residences and bungalows, homes, villas, resorts, and resorts – all with various costs and facilities. Right here’s a bit extra about every.
Flats/Bungalows
After I lived on the island, I selected to reside in a one-bedroom bungalow. Bungalows and residences are nice choices for these staying each quick and long-term – and they are often fairly reasonably priced. For instance, I paid $350 monthly within the city of Nathon.
On common, nevertheless, you possibly can expect to pay about ฿14,140 ($396.52) monthly for a one-bedroom within the heart of Chaweng or ฿13,000 ($364.56) outdoors of town. A 3-bedroom averages ฿42,500 ($1,191.81) within the fashionable areas or ฿36,666 ($1,028.21) a bit away. Many instances, utilities should not included.
The simplest solution to discover residences is thru Airbnb or through private rental companies.
Homes
If you happen to’re searching for one thing slightly extra personal or have a household and a bigger funds, renting a home is a superb selection. There are attractive homes for lease scattered throughout the island, many with facilities such personal swimming pools and out of doors baths.
Because it’s a complete dwelling you’re renting, costs are slightly extra steep. Count on to pay around $900-$1,800 monthly, relying on what you’re searching for. And also you’ll most likely should pay additional for utilities and cleansing providers.
You need to use Airbnb and private rental companies to search out properties starting from the funds to the glamorous.
Villas
One factor about Koh Samui is that it’s dwelling to some insanely attractive villas throughout the island. As you possibly can think about, these will be fairly costly. However when you’ve got the funds, why not?
Many villas are both beachfront or up within the mountains with a view. Many have infinity swimming pools, personal seashores, and even employees typically. Utilities are often included when renting a villa however count on to pay anywhere from ฿25,000 ($700) monthly for a 1-bedroom to ฿3,500,000 ($98,149) monthly for a 5-bedroom.
Most villas are booked by private companies however some actual gems may also be discovered on Airbnb.
Lodges & Resorts
After all, hotels and resorts are at all times an possibility for shorter stays; and lots of resorts and hostels supply 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, resorts, resorts, and hostels can differ enormously in worth. For instance, the average evening at a resort is $21 and $452 monthly, the average evening at a resort is $153, and the average evening at a hostel is round $12.
Value of Groceries in Koh Samui
By selecting to purchase groceries and cooking at dwelling, it can save you a critical amount of cash. Groceries are cheap, and there are supermarkets scattered all through the island – the most well-liked being Tops or Lotus. You may also discover nice offers on the contemporary markets which can be held each day. Listed here are some examples of the common costs you possibly can count on to pay for traditional gadgets:
- 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
If you happen to’re planning on staying for just a few months, you’ll need to consider SIM playing cards and/or WiFi into your dwelling prices in Koh Samui. Each are very reasonably priced and accessible throughout the island.
Probably the most popular options 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 essentially the most dependable. Cellular information can price around $1.93 monthly for 10GB. If you must pay for WiFi in your house, count on to pay about ฿506 ($14.09) for 60Mbps monthly.
Value of Coworking Areas
There are fairly just a few great coworking spaces on Koh Samui, which are perfect for digital nomads planning on staying just a few months. Some fashionable decisions on the island embrace Be Productive, Organic Coworking Club, and Desk and Chair.
Be Productive provides month-to-month plans for ฿6800 ($190.69 USD) monthly, Natural Coworking Membership has residences for lease which can be 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 just a few choices. The most typical 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 dwelling prices a month-to-month scooter rental. You possibly can work out offers for long-term charges, however the 3-day fee is often round ฿200 ($5.61 USD).
- Taxi: Relying on the place you’re staying on the island, you may be capable to stroll to many locations. Nonetheless, if you wish to get a taxi, rates begin at ฿50 ($1.40 USD) and about ฿58 ($1.63 USD) per mile.
- Automobile Rental: Renting a automotive can also be an possibility; nevertheless, it’s often the costliest selection. Automobile leases often begin at around $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 effectively. These vans with a lined mattress with benches price about ฿50-100 ($1.40-2.80 USD) relying on the place you’re going.
- Shuttle: If you happen to occur to be heading to the airport, a shuttle is a superb possibility. There’s often a set worth 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 in all my favourite issues about dwelling in Koh Samui. Thai meals is genuine and reasonably priced, however you could find all kinds of cuisines starting from avenue meals to Michelin-star eating places.
For instance, the price of a meal at a reasonable native restaurant can cost simply ฿100 ($2.80) per individual, whereas the price of a meal at a mid-range restaurant for 2 folks can price round ฿800 ($22.43). Excessive-end eating places will be nearly as costly as you’re keen to spend!
What I like in regards to the island is that consuming out will be one of many most cost-effective dwelling prices in Koh Samui. I had among the greatest meals of my life on the native evening markets, but it surely was at all times good to splurge each on occasion. In any case, you possibly can afford it because you’re spending so little elsewhere!
If you happen to’re searching for an alcholic beverage together with your meal, count on to pay around $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, completely happy hour specials, and lunch units at many eating places and cafes.
Healthcare in Koh Samui
Common medical care and pressing care is obtainable in Koh Samui, in addition to many dentists. I really bought a set of crowns fitted on the island and completely love them (they had been a fraction of the price of what I’d pay within the States!).
If you wish to go to a basic practitioner on Koh Samui for normal check-ups or visits, digital nomads can count on to pay around ฿1,500 ($42.06) for a brief appoitment. If you wish to get your tooth cleaned at one of many dozens of dentists on the island, the fee is round ฿1200-1800 ($33.65-$50.48).
Miscellaneous Prices in Koh Samui
The price of dwelling in Koh Samui is tremendous reasonably priced in practically each manner. Due to this, you possibly can spend your disposable earnings on the enjoyable stuff.
- Haircut: If you happen to’re something like me, your hair will develop tremendous quick within the solar. Count on to spend around ฿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 around ฿532 ($14.92) for 2 tickets.
- Health club Membership: There are lots of gymnasium decisions on Koh Samui; the average price is round ฿1,250 ($35) monthly.
Suggestions for Saving Prices whereas Residing in Koh Samui
Regardless that the general prices of dwelling in Koh Samui are usually low, there are some easy tricks to prevent much more cash.
1. Eat avenue meals or at native eating places
As I discussed earlier, the road meals was among the most scrumptious meals I’ve ever had. And it’s so low-cost! By consuming at evening markets, avenue 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 slightly intimidating at first – it’s a very distinctive kind of transport – but it surely’s really fairly enjoyable and positively saves you cash.
3. Take out massive sums of cash
Having money readily 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 price. Since ATMS across the island may even cost a price, it’s greatest to take out bigger sums of cash at a time to save lots of you.
Be sure that to retailer your cash in a secure and safe space, ideally a locked secure.
4. Barter on the markets
Whether or not you’re looking for fruits and veggies, contemporary fish, or souvenirs, you can probably get your worth down with some easy bartering. Don’t be afraid to barter, because it’s fairly regular, and the Thai individuals are extraordinarily good and welcoming.
5. Ask your landlord or resort about scooter leases
There are tons of scooter rental locations all all through the island. Nonetheless, should you’ve constructed a very good relationship together with your landlord or resort employees, 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.
Value of Residing in Koh Samui FAQs:
Listed here are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions in regards to the dwelling prices in Koh Samui:
For one individual, the average monthly cost of dwelling 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 monthly.
You possibly can simply reside off of $3,000 monthly in Koh Samui – fairly luxuriously. The typical price of dwelling in Koh Samui is about $1,139 monthly for one individual.
In comparison with the U.S., Koh Samui will not be an costly vacation spot in any respect. Nonetheless, it is without doubt 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 (should you don’t need it to be). The typical individual spends about $1,200 monthly for all their prices in Koh Samui.
In Closing
My two years of dwelling in Koh Samui had been among the most magical I’ve ever skilled. Not solely is it breathtakingly lovely, however the tradition is unimaginable, and the price of dwelling is very reasonably priced.
If you happen to’re a digital nomad searching for someplace to name dwelling for just a few weeks, just a few months, or extra, Koh Samui must be on the high of your checklist.
