An important fact for Digital Nomad Families is the cost of living in different locations. How high are the expenses for childcare? How much do houses cost that can comfortably be lived in as a family? With our breakdown, I would like to show you what we spend monthly in Koh Phangan, Thailand. This breakdown is from April 2023, which marks the end of the high season.
Monthly Cost of Living in Koh Phangan
🏠 Housing: 27.000 THB (717 EUR/790 USD) – 2bdr house in Baan Tai
🛒 Groceries: 10.300 THB (273 EUR/301 USD) – mostly Makro and Big C
🥗 Restaurants: 45.000 THB (1.200 EUR/1.315 USD) – min. 1x/day local food, max. 2x/day western food
🛵 Transportation: 4.470 THB (118 EUR/130 USD) – we own 1 scooter and rented 1 Grand Filano for 4.000 THB/month
👶 Childcare: 40.700 THB (1.080 EUR/1.190 USD) – every day at Arki and Wonderkids + playground and nanny use at Kiddies World and Messy House
🏋️ Sport: 12.100 THB (321 EUR/353 USD) – Podium Gym + personal training with Ferdinand
💻 Co-Working: 5.900 THB (156 EUR/172 USD) – Dots Cafe Thongsala
💆♀️ Personal Care: 8.600 THB (228 EUR/251 USD) – massages, nails, and hairdresser/barber
🥳 Fun & Activities: 4.960 THB (131 EUR/145 USD) – e.g. parties, diving
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💸 Total: 159.030 THB = 4.222 EUR = 4.650 USD
We are happy with this outcome as we paid around 2.000 USD/month more in Bali (although we had a nice pool villa there and a bit more luxury in general). I think there’s still potential to save some money by not going to restaurants so often. But this is pretty hard because the vegan food options in Koh Phangan are fabulous!
Recognizing the possibility of further savings, especially by reducing restaurant visits, highlights a conscious effort to manage expenses. However, the challenge arises from the irresistible appeal of Koh Phangan’s fabulous vegan food options. The island’s culinary scene, with its delectable vegan choices, adds a layer of enjoyment that makes cutting back on restaurant visits a formidable task.
The outcome underscores the multifaceted considerations that go into choosing a location as a digital nomad. It’s not merely about costs but also the overall quality of life, the cultural experience, and the alignment of lifestyle choices with the unique offerings of each destination. In the case of Koh Phangan, the culinary delights seem to have played a significant role in tipping the scales in favor of the island, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in the nomadic decision-making process.
Please note: You won’t find our costs for health insurance, software subscriptions, retirement plans, etc. here, as I want to show you the cost of living at a specific location.
Are these cost breakdowns helpful for you? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading!
Thanks for this post. It’s very helpful. I guess the costs for Samui are very similar, aren’t they? We are going in four weeks. Travel safe, cheers Dennis
Hi Dennis, thank you for your comment! We lived in Samui for half a year and can say: Yes, the cost are similar to Koh Phangan, BUT in Samui you’ll pay way smaller rents. In Samui you can get a nice pool villa for the price of a simple Thai house in Phangan. 😉 Enjoy your time!