Songkhla, a vibrant city in Thailand, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone planning to move or visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $1.44 on average, with a range between $1.44 and $1.73.
  • McMeal at McDonald's - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $3.46.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.01 to $2.31, averaging $1.73.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer averages $1.73.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - Coke/Pepsi costs between $0.52 and $1.59, averaging $0.89.
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) - Water is priced between $0.20 and $0.23, averaging $0.21.
  • Cappuccino (regular) - A regular cappuccino costs between $1.01 and $1.73, averaging $1.35.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.44 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.87.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $1.50.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs $15.01 per kg.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - Water is priced between $0.40 and $1.44, averaging $0.89.
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) - A mid-range bottle of wine costs $12.99.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) - Domestic beer costs between $1.24 and $1.73, averaging $1.47.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer costs between $2.31 and $6.35, averaging $4.33.
  • Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) - A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs $4.19.
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets cost $2.45 per kg.
  • Apples (1kg) - Apples cost $2.31 per kg.
  • Oranges (1kg) - Oranges cost $1.15 per kg.
  • Potato (1kg) - Potatoes cost $1.44 per kg.
  • Lettuce (1 head) - Lettuce costs $1.44 per head.
  • Rice (white), (1kg) - Rice costs between $0.87 and $3.18, averaging $2.02.
  • Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes cost between $0.95 and $1.44, averaging $1.20.
  • Banana (1kg) - Bananas cost between $1.59 and $1.73, averaging $1.66.
  • Onion (1kg) - Onions cost between $1.44 and $1.91, averaging $1.68.
  • Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round costs between $5.77 and $14.14, averaging $9.96.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.87.
  • Monthly Pass (Regular Price) - A monthly pass for public transport costs $57.73.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.75 and $1.47 per liter, averaging $1.22.
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) - Taxi fares start at $1.15.
  • Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) - The cost per km for a taxi is between $0.63 and $0.90, averaging $0.77.
  • Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) - The cost for 1 hour of waiting in a taxi is $8.66.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $202.04 to $346.35, averaging $259.76.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $63.50 to $331.92, averaging $170.29.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $404.08 to $721.56, averaging $562.82.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $173.18 to $634.98, averaging $404.08.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $57.73 and $129.88, averaging $82.98.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $10.39 to $27.42, with an average cost of $17.41.
  • Mobile Phone Monthly Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $8.66 and $14.43, averaging $12.03.
Worldwide
Thailand

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Thailand are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Thailand, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 6 user contributions, as of the most recent update in August, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$1.44
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$3.46
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.35
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.44
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.87
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.50
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.01
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.99
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$4.19
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.45
Apples (1kg)
$2.31
Oranges (1kg)
$1.15
Potato (1kg)
$1.44
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.02
Tomato (1kg)
$1.20
Banana (1kg)
$1.66
Onion (1kg)
$1.68
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$9.96
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.87
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$57.73
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,976.28
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.15
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.77
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.66
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$34,635.03
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$259.76
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$170.29
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$562.82
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$404.08
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$82.98
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$17.41
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$12.03
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$46.18
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$1.73
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$5.20
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.86
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$20.20
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$567.63
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
9.33%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$115.45
Songkhla Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Songkhla offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many Western cities, with affordable dining and housing options.

Transportation is inexpensive, making it easy to get around the city without a significant financial burden.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Songkhla.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Songkhla provides an affordable living environment with a balance of modern amenities and cultural experiences.

Whether you're considering a short visit or a long-term stay, understanding these costs will help you plan your budget effectively.