Koh Chang Cost of Living Guide 2025
Comprehensive guide to living costs in Thailand's elephant island near Cambodia. Perfect for expats and digital nomads seeking affordable island living with pristine beaches and jungle adventures.
Monthly Budget Overview
Koh Chang offers affordable island living with pristine beaches, jungle adventures, and waterfalls. Less developed than southern islands, it provides excellent value with authentic island experiences and proximity to Cambodia.
Budget Island Living
฿20,000-35,000
Simple authentic island life
Comfortable Beachside
฿35,000-65,000
Quality beach amenities
Premium Island
฿65,000-110,000
Luxury resort lifestyle
Ultra-Luxury
฿110,000+
Exclusive beachfront estates
Housing & Accommodation
Koh Chang offers excellent value accommodation from basic bungalows to beachfront resorts. Popular areas include White Sand Beach, Chai Chet, and Bang Bao fishing village:
- •Basic Bungalow (Fan): ฿5,000-10,000/month
- •AC Bungalow/Room: ฿8,000-15,000/month
- •1-Bedroom (White Sand): ฿15,000-28,000/month
- •1-Bedroom (Chai Chet): ฿12,000-22,000/month
- •2-Bedroom House: ฿20,000-40,000/month
- •Beachfront Villa with Pool: ฿45,000-120,000+/month
🐘 Pro Tip:
Best value areas: Chai Chet for quiet beaches, Bang Bao for local fishing village atmosphere. Long-stay discounts (3+ months) can reduce costs by 30-40%. Avoid high season (Dec-Feb) for better prices.
Food & Dining
Koh Chang offers excellent seafood and Thai cuisine at reasonable island prices. Less international options than southern islands but great authentic local food:
- •Local Thai Food: ฿35-70 per meal (seafood curry, fried rice)
- •Street Food/Market: ฿25-50 per meal
- •Beach Restaurant: ฿120-250 per meal
- •Western Cafe: ฿150-300 per meal
- •Fresh Seafood: ฿200-500 per meal
- •Local Market Groceries: ฿5,000-8,000/month
- •7-Eleven/Convenience: ฿7,000-12,000/month
Transportation
Koh Chang requires scooters or songthaews for transportation due to mountainous terrain. The island has one main ring road:
- •Scooter Rental: ฿3,000-4,500/month (long-term)
- •Car Rental: ฿10,000-18,000/month
- •Songthaew (Island Bus): ฿50-100 per trip
- •Taxi: ฿150-400 for longer trips
- •Ferry to Mainland: ฿80-120 (vehicle ferry available)
- •Ferry to Cambodia: ฿1,200-2,000
- •Gasoline: ฿33-37/liter
Utilities & Services
- •Electricity: ฿2,000-5,000/month (AC needed year-round)
- •Water: ฿100-300/month
- •Internet (WiFi): ฿600-1,200/month
- •Mobile Phone: ฿300-900/month
- •Gym/Fitness: ฿1,000-2,500/month
- •Laundry Service: ฿30-45/kg
Healthcare
Koh Chang has basic medical facilities and clinics. Serious cases require mainland treatment in Trat or Bangkok:
- •Local Clinic Visit: ฿500-1,200
- •Basic Medications: ฿80-300
- •Dental Care: ฿600-1,500
- •Travel Insurance: ฿600-1,800/month
- •Emergency Transport: ฿8,000-25,000 to Bangkok
Entertainment & Activities
- •National Park Entry: ฿200 (waterfalls, hiking)
- •Snorkeling Trip: ฿600-1,200
- •Island Hopping: ฿800-1,500
- •Thai Massage: ฿200-500/hour
- •Kayaking: ฿500-1,000/day
- •Fishing Charter: ฿2,000-5,000/day
- •Beer at Beach Bar: ฿60-120
- •Coffee at Cafe: ฿50-100
Popular Areas & Neighborhoods
Premium Areas (฿20,000+ for 1BR)
White Sand Beach central, beachfront resort locations
Mid-Range Areas (฿12,000-20,000 for 1BR)
Chai Chet, Klong Prao Beach, near main areas
Budget Areas (฿5,000-12,000 for 1BR)
Bang Bao village, inland locations, local guesthouses
Sample Monthly Budgets
Budget Island Life: ฿26,000
Basic Bungalow: ฿8,000 | Local Food: ฿6,000 | Scooter: ฿3,500 | Utilities: ฿3,500 | Activities: ฿5,000
Comfortable Beachside: ฿48,000
Beach Apartment: ฿18,000 | Mixed Dining: ฿10,000 | Transport: ฿5,000 | Utilities: ฿6,000 | Recreation: ฿9,000
Premium Island Living: ฿85,000
Beachfront Villa: ฿45,000 | Quality Dining: ฿16,000 | Car: ฿12,000 | Utilities: ฿8,000 | Activities: ฿4,000
🌴 Island Season Note:
High season (Nov-March) brings higher prices and more tourists. Rainy season (May-September) offers significant savings but potential weather disruptions. Ferry services may be affected in rough weather.
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