Asia-Pacific ยท THB
Moving to Thailand: salary, tax and cost of living
What a job offer in Thailand is actually worth once income tax, mandatory contributions, rent and everyday costs are taken out. Figures below are the same ones ReloIQ uses to score a real comparison.
Compare your offer- Income tax
- Progressive PIT up to 35% + social security
- Currency
- THB (THB)
- Purchasing power
- Strong local affordability
- Healthcare
- Public-private hybrid
How take-home pay works in Thailand
Tax structure: Progressive PIT up to 35% + social security
That matters because relocation decisions are usually made on the gross number, while your actual standard of living depends on what lands in your account after deductions. Private schooling and expat-standard housing can lift the budget.
What your money buys
Purchasing power: Strong local affordability
ReloIQ applies a purchasing power factor of 0.10, sourced from World Bank data for 2025, which converts a headline salary into comparable living standards rather than a raw exchange rate.
Local cost pressure: Bangkok premium, Chiang Mai lighter
Who a move to Thailand suits
Best for: Lifestyle-led moves and moderate-cost living
The most common mistake is comparing the offered number against a current salary without adjusting for tax structure and housing, which is exactly what the comparison tool corrects for.
Monthly costs
Cities in Thailand
Typical monthly figures for a practical newcomer budget, in THB. Rent assumes a standard one-bedroom rather than a shared or luxury unit.
| City | Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | THB 22,000 | THB 9,000 | THB 1,800 | 42 |
| Chiang Mai | THB 14,000 | THB 7,500 | THB 1,200 | 31 |
Within Thailand, Bangkok runs the highest cost index at 42 while Chiang Mai sits at 31. A single offer can therefore be comfortable in one city and tight in another, so compare against the city you would actually live in.
Before you accept
Private schooling and expat-standard housing can lift the budget.
Enter your current salary and the Thailand offer to see net pay, monthly savings and a purchasing-power verdict for both sides. Free, no account needed.
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Figures are modelled estimates for comparison, not tax advice. Individual liability depends on residency status, allowances, dependants and employer arrangements.