Island in Surat Thani, Thailand
Cost of living in Koh Tao
How much a month costs in Koh Tao
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,190–1,940 (฿40,000–65,000).
Prices in Koh Tao
Typical 2026 ranges in THB, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | THB | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | ฿9,000–18,000 | $268–536 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | ฿6,000–12,000 | $179–358 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | ฿250–550 | $7.5–16.4 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | ฿1,200–2,800 | $36–83 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | ฿60–120 | $1.8–3.6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | ฿300–700 | $9–21 |
| Cappuccino | ฿70–130 | $2.1–3.9 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | ฿80–160 | $2.4–4.8 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | ฿50–100 | $1.5–3.0 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | ฿150–350 | $4.5–10.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | ฿800–2,000 | $24–60 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | ฿300–600 | $8.9–17.9 |
Value for money: 63/100
A value score of 63/100 means Koh Tao gives more quality of life per dollar than 62% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 65/100. It's the 18th most affordable of 32 places we cover in Thailand.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Thailand
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Sukhothai | $656–1,040 | 96/100 |
| Udon Thani | $715–1,130 | 93/100 |
| Ayutthaya | $834–1,250 | 86/100 |
| Kanchanaburi | $834–1,250 | 87/100 |
| Hat Yai | $834–1,250 | 82/100 |
| Pai | $834–1,340 | 86/100 |
| Chiang Rai | $894–1,430 | 78/100 |
| Khao Yai | $954–1,490 | 78/100 |
| Khao Sok | $954–1,490 | 77/100 |
| Chiang Mai | $1,040–1,490 | 75/100 |
| Jomtien | $1,070–1,730 | 72/100 |
| Pattaya | $1,130–1,790 | 59/100 |
| Koh Lanta | $1,130–1,850 | 65/100 |
| Koh Chang | $1,190–1,850 | 64/100 |
| Krabi | $1,190–1,940 | 62/100 |
| Koh Tao | $1,190–1,940 | 63/100 |
| Khao Lak | $1,250–1,940 | 60/100 |
| Koh Samet | $1,250–1,940 | 61/100 |
| Koh Kood | $1,250–2,030 | 60/100 |
| Koh Phangan | $1,250–2,090 | 57/100 |
| Hua Hin | $1,250–2,090 | 58/100 |
| Railay | $1,250–2,090 | 60/100 |
| Koh Lipe | $1,340–2,030 | 55/100 |
| Bangkok | $1,340–2,090 | 54/100 |
| Rawai | $1,430–2,240 | 53/100 |
| Patong | $1,430–2,320 | 38/100 |
| Phuket | $1,490–2,380 | 48/100 |
| Koh Samui | $1,490–2,380 | 45/100 |
| Koh Phi Phi | $1,490–2,380 | 45/100 |
| Kata Beach | $1,490–2,380 | 48/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Koh Tao
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hue | Vietnam | $578–963 |
| Phong Nha | Vietnam | $539–848 |
| Sukhothai | Thailand | $656–1,040 |
| Ninh Binh | Vietnam | $539–925 |
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Koh Tao?
About $656–954 on a lean budget, $1,190–1,940 for a comfortable month and $2,680–4,770 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Koh Tao?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs ฿9,000–18,000 ($268–536) a month in the center and ฿6,000–12,000 ($179–358) outside it.
How much does food cost in Koh Tao?
A local meal is ฿60–120 ($1.8–3.6); a mid-range restaurant is ฿300–700 ($9–21) per person.
Is Thailand expensive?
Prices in Thailand are about 31% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Koh Tao
Going to Koh Tao solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Koh Tao meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Lomprayah ferries
- Bangkok Hospital Samui
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.