Guide For Living Abroad In Thailand

The cost of living in Thailand is much lower on average than in the United States. There are many visa options for Americans seeking to move to Thailand, and the visa application process can be done online. Expats who are prepared for their relocation will adapt better to their surroundings.

Are you considering a move to Thailand? Perhaps you would like to retire in a beautiful country with a lower cost of living. Maybe you’re an investor or entrepreneur who would like more opportunities to invest in international companies.

Whatever your situation, check out our guide to living abroad in Thailand! We’ll offer more insights on the cost of living in Thailand versus the United States, some basic visa information, and other helpful tips for Americans seeking a new niche abroad in Thailand.

Most Important Information For Living In Thailand

The most important information to plan your move abroad is to compare the cost of living in Thailand to the United States. In order to obtain a visa, you will have to demonstrate that you can afford to live in Thailand. You will also need to be aware of things you need for your visa application.

For an overview of moving abroad to Asia, read this Guide to Living Abroad in Asia.

Also, don’t forget to plan where you want to live in Thailand. We have an article to help you find the most recommended spots for expats in Thailand.

Cost Of Living In Thailand Vs. The USA

The cost of living in Thailand is 60.4% lower than in the United States for an individual. For a family, the average cost of living is 49.4% lower in Thailand than in the United States. The biggest savings come from the lower cost of housing in Thailand compared to the USA.

For another article on the cost of living in Thailand, check out our cost of living guide for Thailand.

Housing Cost Comparison Thailand Vs. The USA

The cost of housing in Thailand is significantly lower in Thailand compared to the United States. The biggest savings come from rent prices. Many visas for Americans in Thailand allow for purchasing a condo in the city, and the average price of a condo in the city is the same as the United States.

We used crowd-sourced data to compare the average prices for rental units in Thailand and the United States. This is an average of cities across the country, so actual prices will vary greatly depending on your original US city and your destination in Thailand.

One-Bedroom Apartments

One-bedroom apartments in the city centers of the United States and Thailand are more expensive than finding an apartment in the suburbs. However, you’ll save 64.9% on a downtown apartment in Thailand compared to the United States.

For a cheaper one-bedroom apartment in a suburb, the savings may be as high as 76.9% when you compare the average rent price in Thailand to the United States.

Three-Bedroom Apartments

While the savings on multi-bedroom apartments is lower than the single-bedroom apartments, on average, there’s still plenty of savings to be found. A downtown three-bedroom apartment in Thailand is 46.2% cheaper than in the USA.

For a cheaper three-bedroom apartment in the suburbs, the average savings is 62.4% in Thailand compared to the USA.

Food Cost Comparison Thailand Vs. The USA

The great news for expats who love to eat out is that the price of restaurants in Thailand is much lower than in the United States on average! In general, food expenses are almost half as expensive in Thailand vs. the USA.

Restaurant Prices

Fast food in Thailand is only moderately less expensive than the USA. A fast food meal is 31.3% less expensive in Thailand compared to the United States. Dinner for two at a restaurant is even larger savings at 56.4% less expensive. 

The biggest savings on food in Thailand can be found in the average lunch menu price. In Thailand, a meal from the lunch menu is 78.1% less expensive than in the USA!

Grocery Prices

Most grocery prices in Thailand are less expensive than in the United States on average. There are a few exceptions, but you can expect to see some savings in the monthly grocery bill, especially if you are a savvy shopper.

Here are some common grocery items to compare. We used crowd-sourced data, and these prices reflect the average price of an item drawing data from many cities.

• Bread is 50% cheaper in Thailand than in the USA.
• Rice is 66.4% less costly when comparing Thailand to the USA.
• Eggs are 46.3% cheaper in Thailand than in the United States.
• Milk is 70.5% more expensive in Thailand.
• Apples are 41.1% less expensive than in the USA.
• Oranges are 55.5% less costly in Thailand compared to the United States.
• Bananas are 23.3% less expensive in Thailand.
• Onions are 51.4% cheaper in Thailand.
• Potatoes are 43.7% cheaper than in the United States.
• Tomatoes are a whopping 66.3% cheaper in Thailand than in the USA.
• Beef is 14.7% less expensive by weight than in the United States.
• Chicken is 70.7% cheaper in weight in Thailand than in the USA.

Transportation Cost Comparison Thailand Vs. The USA

Transportation costs in Thailand tend to be more expensive than in the United States. This is because the price of gasoline is 21.8% more expensive in Thailand. However, you can expect to spend about one-third less on taxis and public transportation in Thailand on average.

Salaries In Thailand Vs. The USA

Salaries in Thailand are much lower, on average than in the USA. The average after-tax salary in Thailand is 85.2% lower than in the United States. The average salary in Thailand can cover 0.7 months of expenses for an individual compared to 1.9 months in the USA.

However, this factor is less important for digital nomads, retirees, and others who are making more than the average salary in Thailand due to the low cost of living.

Is Thailand Expensive To Live In?

Thailand is not an expensive place to live. Compared to the United States, Thailand has a much lower cost of living. Despite this, the average life expectancy in Thailand is still slightly higher than in the USA.

Living In Thailand As An American

Living in Thailand as an American will mean exciting opportunities as well as some necessary adjustments to adapt. Thailand uses Baht as currency rather than US Dollars. You will also want to learn some basic Thai phrases because not many people speak English.

Healthcare In Thailand

Thailand has some great private hospitals that can be covered by certain international health insurance plans. Thailand even offers visas for medical tourism or people who would like to travel to the country to access these registered, private hospitals.

For more information about Thailand’s best hospitals, check out our article here.

Education In Thailand

For residents of Thailand, there is compulsory school for at least 9 years, with 12 years of free public education available. The literacy rate in Thailand is over 94% of the adult population.

For expats and their children, there are also a number of private and international school options in Thailand.

Cultural Adjustments For Americans In Thailand

Adjustments for Americans in Thailand will include differences in language, food, and climate. Arguably, the largest adjustment for Americans will be the language barrier. English is a second language of the upper class in Thailand, so less than 30% of the population speaks English. 

Retiring In Thailand From The USA

Retiring in Thailand from the United States is possible. There is a Long Term Resident Visa available for anyone from the United States who would like to make Thailand their new home. The lower cost of living means that retirement benefits can potentially last longer in a country like Thailand.

To obtain a Long Term Resident Visa, the application process can be completed online.

It is important to note that Thailand and the United States do not have a Social Security Agreement. Without the agreement, you must work in either country long enough to be eligible for that country’s Social Security benefits.

Moving To Thailand From The USA

Moving to Thailand from the United States is possible because of the wide variety of visas available to expats moving from the USA to Thailand. In Thailand, you’ll be able to enjoy a lower cost of living, delicious cuisine, and lush greenery.

Visa Requirements For US Citizens In Thailand

Thailand offers a number of visas applicable to expats like retirees and entrepreneurs. The visa application process for Thailand can also be completed online, making it convenient and accessible for Americans looking to move to Thailand.

Here are some different types of visas that may be attractive to expats:

• Smart Visa for Investors and Entrepreneurs
• Long Term Resident Visa for retirees or others wanting to move for many years
• If you don’t need to work in Thailand, consider a Long-Stay-Visa

In order to obtain a visa for Thailand, you will likely need to provide the following documents. More details can be found for each visa application type on Thailand’s official website.

• Passport and Thailand’s application forms
• Certificate from country of nationality demonstrating criminal record clearance, as well as any country for which you are qualified as a permanent resident
• Thai bank account with a minimum of 3 million Baht or 1.8 million Baht and an annual income of at least 1.2 million Baht
• Medical certificate stating that you don’t have contagious diseases or health problems like third-stage syphilis, drug addiction, elephantiasis, leprosy, or tuberculosis
• Proof of international health insurance that provides minimum coverage in Thailand

Conclusion

You won’t want to miss out on all that Thailand offers expats! The lower cost of living and visa options makes moving to Thailand an excellent opportunity for Americans. Consider Thailand the next stop on your life adventure.

If you have any questions about securing international health insurance, contact an expert at Pacific Prime today.

If you would like more comparisons and guides, don’t miss our guides for living abroad in the Philippines or in Vietnam.

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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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