In case you’ve by no means been to Koh Samui, let me let you know, it’s one of the crucial 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 beloved 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 significant draw, and shortly you’ll see why.
Price of Dwelling in Koh Samui
One in all my favourite issues about residing in Koh Samui was that I used to be capable of save a ton of cash whereas residing in paradise. The price of residing in Koh Samui is insanely low (in comparison with Western international locations); nonetheless, must you want to, it additionally permits the chance so that you can select to dwell extra luxuriously too.
The checklist 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 number of months. On common, the price of residing monthly for one individual is $1,139 and $2,497 for a household. Superb, proper?
Price of Lodging in Koh Samui
There are lots of superb choices relating to lodging on Koh Samui. There are residences and bungalows, homes, villas, inns, 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 dwell in a one-bedroom bungalow. Bungalows and residences are nice choices for these staying each brief and long-term – and they are often fairly reasonably priced. For instance, I paid $350 monthly within the city of Nathon.
On common, nonetheless, you’ll be able to count on to pay about ฿14,140 ($396.52) monthly for a one-bedroom within the middle of Chaweng or ฿13,000 ($364.56) exterior of town. A 3-bedroom averages ฿42,500 ($1,191.81) within the common areas or ฿36,666 ($1,028.21) a bit away. Many occasions, utilities are usually not included.
The simplest solution to discover residences is thru Airbnb or through non-public rental corporations.
Homes
In case you’re searching for one thing slightly extra non-public or have a household and a bigger finances, renting a home is a superb selection. There are attractive homes for lease scattered throughout the island, many with facilities such non-public swimming pools and out of doors baths.
Because it’s a whole residence you’re renting, costs are slightly extra steep. Anticipate to pay round $900-$1,800 monthly, relying on what you’re searching for. And also you’ll in all probability should pay additional for utilities and cleansing companies.
You should utilize Airbnb and non-public rental corporations to search out properties starting from the finances to the glamorous.
Villas
One factor about Koh Samui is that it’s residence to some insanely attractive villas throughout the island. As you’ll be able to think about, these may be fairly costly. However when you have the finances, why not?
Many villas are both beachfront or up within the mountains with a view. Many have infinity swimming pools, non-public seashores, and even workers generally. Utilities are normally included when renting a villa however count on to pay anyplace 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 way of non-public corporations however some actual gems may also be discovered on Airbnb.
Accommodations & Resorts
In fact, inns and resorts are at all times an choice for shorter stays; and lots of inns 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, inns, resorts, and hostels can range vastly in worth. For instance, the common night time at a resort is $21 and $452 monthly, the common night time at a resort is $153, and the common night time at a hostel is round $12.
Price of Groceries in Koh Samui
By selecting to purchase groceries and cooking at residence, it can save you a critical sum of money. Groceries are low-cost, and there are supermarkets scattered all through the island – the preferred being Tops or Lotus. You can too discover nice offers on the contemporary markets which are held every day. Listed below are some examples of the typical costs you’ll be able to count on to pay for traditional 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 diverse fruits, 14-48 baht ($0.39-$1.35 USD)
- Greens – 1 lb diverse 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 a number of months, you’ll need to consider SIM playing cards and/or WiFi into your residing prices in Koh Samui. Each are very reasonably priced and accessible throughout the island.
Probably the most common 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 knowledge can price round $1.93 monthly for 10GB. If it’s a must to pay for WiFi in your house, count on to pay about ฿506 ($14.09) for 60Mbps monthly.
Price of Coworking Areas
There are fairly a number of nice coworking areas on Koh Samui, which are perfect for digital nomads planning on staying a number of months. Some common selections on the island embody Be Productive, Natural Coworking Membership, and Desk and Chair.
Be Productive gives month-to-month plans for ฿6800 ($190.69 USD) monthly, 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 number of choices. The commonest selection for digital nomads who’re staying for some time is a scooter. Different choices embody taxis, automotive leases, songthaews (extra beneath), and shuttles.
- Scooter: Many digital nomads issue into their residing prices a month-to-month scooter rental. You may work out offers for long-term charges, however the 3-day price is normally round ฿200 ($5.61 USD).
- Taxi: Relying on the place you’re staying on the island, you would possibly be capable to 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.
- Automobile Rental: Renting a automotive can be an choice; nonetheless, it’s normally the most costly selection. Automobile leases normally begin at round $21 USD per day.
- Songthaew: A songthaew is a well-liked choice for locals to get across the island and also you’re greater than welcome to hop on as properly. 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 choice. There’s normally 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 considered one of my favourite issues about residing in Koh Samui. Thai meals is genuine and reasonably priced, however you could find all types of cuisines starting from road meals to Michelin-star eating places.
For instance, the price of a meal at a cheap 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 in regards to the island is that consuming out may be one of many most cost-effective residing prices in Koh Samui. I had a number of the greatest meals of my life on the native night time markets, but it surely was at all times good to splurge each from time to time. In any case, you’ll be able to afford it because you’re spending so little elsewhere!
In case you’re searching for an alcholic beverage along 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. Preserve a watch out for 2-for-1 offers, pleased hour specials, and lunch units at many eating places and cafes.
Healthcare in Koh Samui
Common medical care and pressing care is accessible in Koh Samui, in addition to many dentists. I truly obtained 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 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 means. Due to this, you’ll be able to spend your disposable earnings on the enjoyable stuff.
- Haircut: In case you’re something like me, your hair will develop tremendous quick within the solar. Anticipate 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.
- Fitness center Membership: There are lots of fitness center selections on Koh Samui; the common price is round ฿1,250 ($35) monthly.
Suggestions for Saving Prices whereas Dwelling in Koh Samui
Although the general prices of residing in Koh Samui are typically 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 number 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 minimize 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 truly fairly enjoyable and undoubtedly 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 can even cost a price, it’s greatest to take out bigger sums of cash at a time to save lots of 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 searching 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 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. Nonetheless, should you’ve constructed a great relationship along with your landlord or resort 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.
Price of Dwelling in Koh Samui FAQs:
Listed below are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions in regards to 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 may dwell very comfortably in Koh Samui off of round $2,000 monthly.
You may simply dwell off of $3,000 monthly in Koh Samui – fairly luxuriously. The typical price of residing 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 among the dearer islands in Thailand, and there’s at all times the choice to do issues high-end.
The most cost effective 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 (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 residing in Koh Samui had been a number of the most magical I’ve ever skilled. Not solely is it breathtakingly lovely, however the tradition is unimaginable, and the price of residing is particularly reasonably priced.
In case you’re a digital nomad searching for someplace to name residence for a number of weeks, a number of months, or extra, Koh Samui needs to be on the high of your checklist.