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Guides · 2026
Where to live in
Thailand
We work with five destinations, and only five: the ones we know street by street. Each guide covers what it really costs to live there, which neighbourhoods to look at, how schools and hospitals stack up, and who each one fits — with 2026 numbers, no postcard version.
Bangkok
The city that never stops.
Metro, the best healthcare in Southeast Asia, the embassies and more apartments on offer than anywhere else. For anyone who wants it all.
Chiang Mai
The most local life.
Temples, mountains, night markets and the lowest cost of living of any real city in the country. The world's number-one nomad hub.
Phuket
Beach and momentum.
The big island: world-class beaches, British schools and the country's most established expat community. The most expensive after Bangkok.
Hua Hin
The beach without the noise.
Calm beaches, championship golf and houses with gardens for the price of a flat. 2h30 from Bangkok. Where families settle.
Koh Samui
Island life with community.
The wellness island: yoga, retreats, a small tight-knit community, its own airport and cheaper schools than Bangkok. Island life with a support network.
The five, side by side
| City | Living well/month | Rent (35 m²) | Beach | Nightlife | School (year) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 1550 € | ≈ 500 € | No (2–3h away) | High | ≈ 14,000 € | Work, services, healthcare |
| Chiang Mai | 1150 € | ≈ 320 € | No (mountains) | Medium | ≈ 8,800 € | Nomads, budget, local life |
| Phuket | 1450 € | ≈ 440 € | Yes, the best | High | ≈ 12,600 € | Non-negotiable sea, sports |
| Hua Hin | 1200 € | ≈ 360 € | Yes, quiet | Low | ≈ 7,900 € | Families, golf, calm |
| Koh Samui | 1350 € | ≈ 400 € | Yes, island | Medium | ≈ 9,500 € | Wellness, community, island |
2026 ballpark figures for a comfortable standard of living — "living well" is exactly that: neither tight nor luxury. Rent is for a reference ~35 m² flat (with family it goes up with the square metres); school is international, per child, per year. There's no "best" city: there's yours. If you're torn between two, tell us on the first call — that's what it's for.
So which one is yours?
Pick a city in the calculator, tell us who's moving, and get the number: monthly living costs and what it takes to land, with our fixed 1200 € fee included.