Cost of living in Thailand compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Thailand is 23% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 165 ฿ (35元) | 42元 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 200 ฿ (43元) | 37元 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 64 ฿ (14元) | 15元 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 79 ฿ (17元) | 14元 | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 73 ฿ (16元) | 16元 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 89 ฿ (19元) | 11元 | + 77% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 340 ฿ (73元) | 50元 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 112 ฿ (24元) | 16元 | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 63 ฿ (14元) | 7元 | + 104% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 ฿ (11元) | 7元 | + 67% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 816 ฿ (175元) | 94元 | + 86% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 50 ฿ (11元) | 9元 | + 21% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 52 ฿ (11元) | 13元 | - 10% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in Thailand is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 45,366 ฿ (9,738元) | 13,997元 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,178 ฿ (4,331元) | 6,833元 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,396 ฿ (729元) | 450元 | + 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 22,602 ฿ (4,852元) | 6,875元 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 11,082 ฿ (2,379元) | 3,656元 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,379 ฿ (296元) | 296元 | - 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 424 ฿ (91元) | 100元 | - 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,749 ฿ (1,878元) | 1,460元 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,647 ฿ (568元) | 553元 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 177 ฿ (38元) | 43元 | - 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 185 ฿ (40元) | 55元 | - 28% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Thailand is 10% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,961 ฿ (421元) | 418元 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,192 ฿ (256元) | 296元 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,849 ฿ (612元) | 570元 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,914 ฿ (411元) | 705元 | - 42% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in Thailand is 13% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 846,721 ฿ (181,752元) | 148,726元 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 37 ฿ (8元) | 8元 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,253 ฿ (269元) | 233元 | + 15% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in Thailand is 33% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 131 ฿ (28元) | 51元 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 219 ฿ (47元) | 84元 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,180 ฿ (253元) | 114元 | + 123% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 ฿ (13元) | 67元 | - 81% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 91 ฿ (20元) | 57元 | - 66% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 142 ฿ (30元) | 25元 | + 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 71 ฿ (15元) | 7元 | + 118% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 66 ฿ (14元) | 13元 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 246 ฿ (53元) | 85元 | - 38% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Thailand is about the same as in China | ||||
| Thailand | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 549 ฿ (118元) | 178元 | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 347 ฿ (74元) | 109元 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,901 ฿ (408元) | 703元 | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,336 ฿ (287元) | 320元 | - 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 326 ฿ (70元) | 81元 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 98 ฿ (21元) | 28元 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 102 ฿ (22元) | 15元 | + 44% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 26,900 ฿ (5,774元) | 3,924元 | + 47% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.99 ฿ (0.43元) | 0.34元 | + 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,908 ฿ (410元) | 414元 | - 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 139 ฿ (30元) | 26元 | + 12% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,253 prices entered by 185 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21465
CNY
/
THB
Cost of living in Thailand is 5% cheaper than in China
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