Moving abroad is a wild, life-changing choice (crazy, yes, but trust me it’s worth it). The cost of moving to Thailand may surprise you. Thailand, with its affordable living, delicious food, and chill vibes—is a dream to live. I know a big roadblock for people moving abroad is money. You will roughly need $3000-4000 to comfortably move to Thailand. Where does that number come from? Well, that’s how much it cost me! Let’s break down this number, and let me explain how much exactly I spent moving to Thailand from the USA.
The real cost of moving to Thailand: My experience & the breakdown of how much I spent
Start-up costs:
Let’s talk about start-up costs. I worked two jobs before I moved to save up this money, and you can make it happen if you budget / are able to save money. I know everyone’s situation is different: I was right out of college, no debt, no kids, no partner. I didn’t have many attachments, so I decided this was the right time to go.
If you need a few months to save, don’t stress. It’s totally normal. It took me 4-6 months to fully prepare for my love to Thailand. Here’s where your money will go:
- TEFL Certificate (if teaching English):
- Cost: $1,000 – $2,000
- Planning to teach English in Thailand? You’ll need a TEFL certificate & a Bachelor’s degree (try to get this notarized before, it will save you time in Thailand)
- Plane ticket:
- Cost: $500 – $1,200 (depending on where you’re flying from—and how lucky you are with deals).
- I booked a one way ticket in 2022 for ~$750
- Pro tip: Book early and be flexible with dates to snag the best prices. I booked ~3 months before.
- Visa costs:
- Cost: $50 – $300
- Whether it’s a tourist, education, or work visa, fees vary (I came on a 60 day tourist visa which cost $50 in 2022)
- Bonus: Some employers (like schools) will foot the bill — mine did 🙂
- Rent deposit
- Cost: $750-$1000
- You’ll need to (usually) deposit 2-3 months rent to get a long-term apartment in Thailand
- My apartment cost $250 (8,500 baht) so I had to pay a deposit of $750 for my apartment.
- Start-Up items:
- Cost: $500 – $1,000
- These include miscellaneous items like suitcase upgrades, a sturdy backpack, climate-appropriate clothes, and enough toiletries to tide you over until you find your favorite Thai replacements. Also including accommodation / first month of living expenses until you find your own apartment & start getting a regular paycheck.
Recurring costs
Once you’re settled in, life in Thailand is super affordable. I was not making a lot of money (in USD) teaching English but it was more than enough to live a fruitful life in Thailand. Here’s my monthly breakdown living in Chiang Mai:
- Rent:
- Cost: $250/month
- I scored a gorgeous one-bedroom apartment in a great area. Prices range from $150 (super basic) to $500 (fancy condo vibes).
- It’s easy to find a great real estate agent, or look on Facebook to find open apartments.
- Utilities:
- Cost: $20/month
- Electricity and water are cheap (unless you’re blasting the AC 24/7—but I always turned mine off when I left)
- Gas
- Cost: $30/month
- Gotta keep the motorbike running 🙂
- Motorbike Rental:
- Cost: $75/month
- Renting is easy and affordable. Long-term? You might want to buy one ($300 – $1,000—best investment ever). Just make sure you have a mechanic you can call if you ever get in a bind. I never bought a motorbike for this reason, but I’ve had friends who have and love it.
- Food:
- Cost: $150 – $300/month
- Thai food is cheap and addictive. I ate out for almost every meal because (a) it’s delicious and (b) no one really cooks in Thailand when the food scene is this affordable and yummy. I mostly ate at restaurants or ordered in on Grab or Foodpanda.
Check out my fav restaurants in Chiang Mai for the best Thai food you’ll ever eat
Extra costs you might not think about
- Health Insurance:
- Cost: $30 – $100/month
- My school gave me a certain amount for hospital visits but it took a few months to activate, so you can either get travel insurance or pay medical bills out of pocket (they aren’t too expensive in Thailand and I footed the bill myself many times)
- Transportation:
- Cost: $100-150/ month
- Depends how much you travel. Public transit is cheap, but if you’re hopping between cities or islands, factor in buses, trains, and flights, it can add up (this is the best website to travel through southeast asia)
- Socializing and fun:
- Cost: $50 – $150/month
- Whether it’s weekend trips, saunas / cold plunges, or grabbing beers with friends, budget some extra cash for good times (bc Thailand is 24/7 good vibes and you’re always gonna be doing something)
- Pampering fund:
- Cost: $100 – $200
- Massages, nails, facials, etc.
- Yes I can afford to do these things regularly in Thailand (the spa scene here is insane)
- Emergency Fund:
- Always keep a few hundred dollars tucked away for those unexpected surprises (like a visa run or a motorbike repair).
Tips on how to save money while living in Thailand
- Negotiate rent: Landlords are usually open to a little haggling (especially for long-term leases for teachers).
- Cut transportation costs: Grab rides are affordable, but motorbikes are the way to go for convenience and freedom.
- Be smart about shopping: Buy your staples at local markets or discount stores (Big C and Tesco Lotus are the best).
Final thoughts
Moving to Thailand is an adventure of a lifetime. Yes, it costs money to get there and settle in, but the experience is priceless (trust me on this one). With a little planning, saving, and budgeting, you can make your dream of living in Thailand a reality. This was my dream, and I made it happen. So can you! Start saving and keep that end goal in mind, sipping a mango smoothie on a beach in Thailand, loving your life 🙂
xx Gracie
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