Cost of living in Bangkok (Thailand) is 72% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in New York City or in Bangkok? You can help!
Improve the prices for New York City! Improve the prices for Bangkok!

WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,023 prices entered by 179 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | - 62% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bangkok (Thailand) is 62% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 233 ฿ ($7) | $26 | - 73% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 161 ฿ ($4.76) | $15 | - 68% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 63 ฿ ($1.88) | $8 | - 76% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 68 ฿ ($2.00) | $1.71 | + 17% | |
12 eggs, large | 83 ฿ ($2.45) | $8 | - 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 93 ฿ ($2.75) | $7 | - 63% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 324 ฿ ($10) | $7 | + 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 84 ฿ ($2.50) | $5.23 | - 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 55 ฿ ($1.64) | $2.55 | - 36% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 53 ฿ ($1.56) | $8 | - 80% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 807 ฿ ($24) | $26 | - 8% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 43 ฿ ($1.28) | $3.38 | - 62% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 57 ฿ ($1.68) | $4.61 | - 64% | |
Housing | - 75% | |||
Housing in Bangkok (Thailand) is 75% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 60,831 ฿ ($1,802) | $4,852 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 27,321 ฿ ($809) | $3,859 | - 79% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 4,285 ฿ ($127) | $312 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 26,744 ฿ ($792) | $4,152 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 13,569 ฿ ($402) | $2,754 | - 85% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,849 ฿ ($55) | $222 | - 75% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 395 ฿ ($12) | $75 | - 84% | |
40” flat screen tv | 8,599 ฿ ($255) | $480 | - 47% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,476 ฿ ($73) | $171 | - 57% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 181 ฿ ($5.36) | $16 | - 67% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 300 ฿ ($9) | $34 | - 74% | |
Clothes | - 47% | |||
Clothes in Bangkok (Thailand) is 47% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,997 ฿ ($59) | $87 | - 32% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,283 ฿ ($38) | $72 | - 47% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,796 ฿ ($83) | $138 | - 40% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,860 ฿ ($85) | $289 | - 71% | |
Transportation | - 68% | |||
Transportation in Bangkok (Thailand) is 68% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 881,128 ฿ ($26,099) | $57,529 | - 55% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 37 ฿ ($1.08) | $1.07 | + 1% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,650 ฿ ($49) | $192 | - 75% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 458 ฿ ($14) | $37 | - 64% | |
Personal Care | - 77% | |||
Personal Care in Bangkok (Thailand) is 77% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 71 ฿ ($2.11) | $22 | - 91% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 284 ฿ ($8) | $55 | - 85% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,338 ฿ ($40) | $173 | - 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 117 ฿ ($3.46) | $18 | - 80% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 107 ฿ ($3.17) | $9 | - 65% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 155 ฿ ($4.60) | $17 | - 73% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 65 ฿ ($1.91) | $8 | - 76% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 68 ฿ ($2.01) | $1.95 | + 3% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 434 ฿ ($13) | $45 | - 71% | |
Entertainment | - 80% | |||
Entertainment in Bangkok (Thailand) is 80% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bangkok | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 824 ฿ ($24) | $102 | - 76% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 441 ฿ ($13) | $52 | - 75% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,116 ฿ ($63) | $575 | - 89% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,297 ฿ ($68) | $183 | - 63% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 365 ฿ ($11) | $23 | - 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 107 ฿ ($3.18) | $8 | - 58% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 127 ฿ ($3.77) | $13 | - 72% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 25,369 ฿ ($751) | $1,189 | - 37% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.19 ฿ ($0.09) | $1.74 | - 95% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,900 ฿ ($56) | $325 | - 83% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 137 ฿ ($4.07) | $19 | - 79% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | - 72% |

These prices were last updated on February 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.02962
USD
/
THB
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 30% cheaper than in Manchester
- Cost of living in New York City is 37% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Charlottesville, Virginia is 172% more expensive than in Resistencia
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 21% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Madrid is 5% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Stuttgart is 8% more expensive than in Córdoba
- Cost of living in Düsseldorf is 8% more expensive than in Córdoba
- Cost of living in Singapore is 32% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Córdoba is 97% more expensive than in Santa Marta
- Cost of living in Córdoba is 10% more expensive than in Hyderabad, India
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $14,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $3,979 (134,345 ฿) in Bangkok.
Do you live in New York City? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangalore (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Singapore
- Cost of Living, Prices in Jakarta (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chengdu (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mexico City (Mexico)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Ushuaia costs ARS $20,000 (about 1 hour ago)
- 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin costs $50 (about 2 hours ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Mexico City costs Mex$ 650 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Lviv costs 45₴ (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 480 sqft furnished studio in expensive area in San Pedro Sula costs L 8,073 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in New York City costs $18 (about 3 hours ago)