Cost of living in Thailand compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Thailand is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 144 ฿ (¥640) | ¥1,035 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 194 ฿ (¥861) | ¥817 | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 65 ฿ (¥289) | ¥618 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 70 ฿ (¥309) | ¥237 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 74 ฿ (¥330) | ¥335 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 74 ฿ (¥328) | ¥439 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 318 ฿ (¥1,415) | ¥1,195 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 102 ฿ (¥453) | ¥822 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 51 ฿ (¥225) | ¥509 | - 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 ฿ (¥232) | ¥312 | - 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 816 ฿ (¥3,627) | ¥1,267 | + 186% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 50 ฿ (¥224) | ¥276 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 52 ฿ (¥233) | ¥293 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 46% | |||
| Housing in Thailand is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 45,752 ฿ (¥203,446) | ¥365,082 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,178 ฿ (¥89,724) | ¥197,811 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,396 ฿ (¥15,100) | ¥19,132 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 22,602 ฿ (¥100,505) | ¥145,654 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 11,082 ฿ (¥49,278) | ¥106,059 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,379 ฿ (¥6,132) | ¥8,349 | - 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 424 ฿ (¥1,886) | ¥4,448 | - 58% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,749 ฿ (¥38,906) | ¥74,559 | - 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,647 ฿ (¥11,772) | ¥25,414 | - 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 177 ฿ (¥788) | ¥1,338 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 185 ฿ (¥825) | ¥2,815 | - 71% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in Thailand is 4% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,961 ฿ (¥8,721) | ¥9,315 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,192 ฿ (¥5,299) | ¥5,103 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,192 ฿ (¥9,748) | ¥9,892 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,914 ฿ (¥8,509) | ¥12,189 | - 30% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Thailand is 17% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 846,721 ฿ (¥3,765,132) | ¥3,060,780 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 36 ฿ (¥162) | ¥169 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,253 ฿ (¥5,572) | ¥8,198 | - 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 45% | |||
| Personal Care in Thailand is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 131 ฿ (¥582) | ¥2,133 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 219 ฿ (¥974) | ¥2,551 | - 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,180 ฿ (¥5,249) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 ฿ (¥267) | ¥1,337 | - 80% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 91 ฿ (¥406) | ¥930 | - 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 142 ฿ (¥631) | ¥622 | + 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 71 ฿ (¥314) | ¥224 | + 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 66 ฿ (¥293) | ¥188 | + 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 246 ฿ (¥1,092) | ¥4,604 | - 76% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Thailand is 12% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Thailand | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 549 ฿ (¥2,443) | ¥4,908 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 310 ฿ (¥1,379) | ¥3,881 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,901 ฿ (¥8,454) | ¥7,212 | + 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,336 ฿ (¥5,940) | ¥8,269 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 326 ฿ (¥1,450) | ¥1,244 | + 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 98 ฿ (¥437) | ¥547 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 102 ฿ (¥453) | ¥674 | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 26,900 ฿ (¥119,617) | ¥51,659 | + 132% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,908 ฿ (¥8,485) | ¥9,530 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 141 ฿ (¥627) | ¥613 | + 2% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 743 prices entered by 149 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.447
JPY
/
THB
Cost of living in Thailand is 27% cheaper than in Japan
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