In case you’ve by no means been to Koh Samui, let me inform you, it’s one of the crucial unbelievable 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 liked it that a lot!
Among the best issues about residing on this picturesque Thai island is the very reasonably priced residing prices. The price of residing in Koh Samui was a serious draw, and shortly you’ll see why.
Value of Residing in Koh Samui
One in all 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 price of residing in Koh Samui is insanely low (in comparison with Western nations); nevertheless, must you want to, it additionally permits the chance so that you can select to dwell extra luxuriously too.
The listing beneath comes from my very own private expertise, scouring dependable sources, and talking with different digital nomads who’ve lived on the island for just a few months. On common, the price of residing per 30 days for one individual is $1,139 and $2,497 for a household. Superb, proper?
Value of Lodging in Koh Samui
There are various superb choices on the subject of lodging on Koh Samui. There are flats and bungalows, homes, villas, accommodations, and resorts – all with various costs and facilities. Right here’s a bit extra about every.
Residences/Bungalows
After I lived on the island, I selected to dwell in a one-bedroom bungalow. Bungalows and flats are nice choices for these staying each quick and long-term – and they are often fairly reasonably priced. For instance, I paid $350 per 30 days within the city of Nathon.
On common, nevertheless, you possibly can anticipate to pay about ฿14,140 ($396.52) per 30 days for a one-bedroom within the middle of Chaweng or ฿13,000 ($364.56) outdoors of the town. A 3-bedroom averages ฿42,500 ($1,191.81) within the widespread areas or ฿36,666 ($1,028.21) a bit away. Many instances, utilities usually are not included.
The simplest method to discover flats is thru Airbnb or through personal rental firms.
Homes
In case you’re in search of one thing a bit of extra personal or have a household and a bigger finances, renting a home is a superb alternative. There are beautiful homes for lease scattered throughout the island, many with facilities such personal swimming pools and out of doors baths.
Because it’s a complete house you’re renting, costs are a bit of extra steep. Count on to pay round $900-$1,800 per 30 days, relying on what you’re in search of. And also you’ll in all probability should pay additional for utilities and cleansing providers.
You need to use Airbnb and personal rental firms to seek out properties starting from the finances to the glamorous.
Villas
One factor about Koh Samui is that it’s house to some insanely beautiful villas throughout the island. As you possibly can think about, these may be fairly costly. However you probably have the finances, why not?
Many villas are both beachfront or up within the mountains with a view. Many have infinity swimming pools, personal seashores, and even workers generally. Utilities are often included when renting a villa however anticipate to pay anyplace 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 way of personal firms however some actual gems will also be discovered on Airbnb.
Lodges & Resorts
After all, accommodations and resorts are all the time an possibility for shorter stays; and lots of accommodations 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 like all of the housing choices, accommodations, resorts, and hostels can differ tremendously in value. For instance, the common night time at a resort 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.
Value of Groceries in Koh Samui
By selecting to purchase groceries and cooking at house, it can save you a critical amount of cash. Groceries are low cost, and there are supermarkets scattered all through the island – the most well-liked being Tops or Lotus. You can too discover nice offers on the contemporary markets which are held each day. Listed below are some examples of the common costs you possibly can anticipate 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 pink desk wine, 600 baht ($16.83 USD)
- Fruit – 1 lb diversified fruits, 14-48 baht ($0.39-$1.35 USD)
- Greens – 1 lb diversified 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
In case you’re planning on staying for just a few months, you’ll wish to think about SIM playing cards and/or WiFi into your residing prices in Koh Samui. Each are very reasonably priced 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, they usually’re probably the most dependable. Cell information can price round $1.93 per 30 days for 10GB. If you must pay for WiFi in your house, anticipate to pay about ฿506 ($14.09) for 60Mbps per 30 days.
Value of Coworking Areas
There are fairly just a few nice coworking areas on Koh Samui, which are perfect for digital nomads planning on staying just a few months. Some widespread selections 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 flats 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 simple, and you’ve got fairly just a few choices. The most typical alternative for digital nomads who’re staying for some time is a scooter. Different choices embrace taxis, automobile 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 charge is often round ฿200 ($5.61 USD).
- Taxi: Relying on the place you’re staying on the island, you may have the ability to stroll to many locations. Nevertheless, 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 automobile can also be an possibility; nevertheless, it’s often the most costly alternative. Automotive leases often 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 vehicles with a coated mattress with benches price about ฿50-100 ($1.40-2.80 USD) relying on the place you’re going.
- Shuttle: In case you occur to be heading to the airport, a shuttle is a superb possibility. There’s often 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 considered one of my favourite issues about residing in Koh Samui. Thai meals is genuine and reasonably priced, however yow will discover all kinds of cuisines starting from road meals to Michelin-star eating places.
For instance, the price of a meal at an affordable native restaurant can price simply ฿100 ($2.80) per individual, whereas the price of a meal at a mid-range restaurant for 2 individuals can price round ฿800 ($22.43). Excessive-end eating places may be nearly as costly as you’re prepared to spend!
What I like concerning the island is that consuming out may be one of many least expensive residing prices in Koh Samui. I had a few of the greatest meals of my life on the native night time markets, nevertheless it was all the time good to splurge each on occasion. In spite of everything, you possibly can afford it because you’re spending so little elsewhere!
In case you’re in search of an alcholic beverage together with your meal, anticipate 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, joyful hour specials, and lunch units at many eating places and cafes.
Healthcare in Koh Samui
Common medical care and pressing care is offered in Koh Samui, in addition to many dentists. I really acquired a set of crowns fitted on the island and completely love them (they had been a fraction of the price of what I might 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 anticipate to pay round ฿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 associated fee is round ฿1200-1800 ($33.65-$50.48).
Miscellaneous Prices in Koh Samui
The price of residing in Koh Samui is tremendous reasonably priced in practically each approach. Due to this, you possibly can spend your disposable revenue on the enjoyable stuff.
- Haircut: In case you’re something like me, your hair will develop tremendous quick within the solar. Count on to spend round ฿400 ($11.22).
- Espresso at a Cafe: Getting your caffeine repair gained’t break the financial institution. A cappuccino prices about ฿82 ($2.30).
- Ticket to the Cinema: Catch the newest flick on the theater for round ฿532 ($14.92) for 2 tickets.
- Gymnasium Membership: There are various gymnasium selections on Koh Samui; the common price is round ฿1,250 ($35) per 30 days.
Ideas for Saving Prices whereas Residing in Koh Samui
Though 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 a few of 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 undoubtedly lower down in your prices in Koh Samui.
2. Get round by songthaew
Hopping on a songthaew is by far the most cost effective mode of transportation to get across the island. It may be a bit of intimidating at first – it’s a very distinctive sort of transport – nevertheless it’s really fairly enjoyable and undoubtedly saves you cash.
3. Take out massive sums of cash
Having money readily available is all the time 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 greatest to take out bigger sums of cash at a time to avoid wasting you.
Make certain to retailer your cash in a protected and safe space, ideally a locked protected.
4. Barter on the markets
Whether or not you’re purchasing for fruits and veggies, contemporary 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 resort about scooter leases
There are tons of scooter rental locations all all through the island. Nevertheless, in the event you’ve constructed an excellent relationship together with your landlord or resort workers, chances are high, 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 below 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 price of residing in Koh Samui is $1,139, and $2,497 for a household.
You possibly can dwell very comfortably in Koh Samui off of round $2,000 per 30 days.
You possibly can simply dwell off of $3,000 per 30 days in Koh Samui – fairly luxuriously. The typical price 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. Nevertheless, it is among the costlier islands in Thailand, and there’s all the time the choice to do issues high-end.
The most affordable areas to dwell in Koh Samui are Lamai, Nathon, and Mae Nam.
The costliest areas to dwell in Koh Samui are Chaweng and Bo Phut.
It’s not costly to dwell in Koh Samui (in the event you don’t need it to be). The typical 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 a few of the most magical I’ve ever skilled. Not solely is it breathtakingly lovely, however the tradition is unbelievable, and the price of residing is very reasonably priced.
In case you’re a digital nomad in search of someplace to name house for just a few weeks, just a few months, or extra, Koh Samui must be on the high of your listing.
