Cost of Living in Thailand & Vietnam 2026: Real Numbers for Australian Expats

"The $800/month figure you see on expat YouTube? That's someone eating street food every meal, living in a studio with no aircon, and never leaving the neighbourhood. Here's what a genuinely comfortable life actually costs."

Cost of living is the number one reason Australians seriously consider Southeast Asia. When you can live comfortably in Chiang Mai for what you'd pay in rent alone in Sydney, the maths gets hard to ignore. But the internet is full of wildly inaccurate numbers — both too low (from people optimising aggressively) and too high (from people who import their entire Australian lifestyle).

This guide gives you real budget ranges across four cities, across three lifestyle tiers: frugal, comfortable, and comfortable-plus. These numbers come from the clients I've helped settle in 2025 and 2026 and reflect actual costs, not aspirational minimalism. If you're still deciding between countries, start with our Thailand vs Vietnam comparison first.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is the most cosmopolitan city in Southeast Asia, with world-class infrastructure, international hospitals, and every amenity you'd find in a major Western city. It's also, by regional standards, relatively expensive — particularly for housing in the expat-popular neighbourhoods.

Expense	Frugal (A$/mth)	Comfortable (A$/mth)	Comfortable+ (A$/mth)
Rent (1 bed, central)	$700–900	$1,100–1,600	$1,800–2,800
Food & Dining	$250–350	$450–650	$700–1,000
Transport	$60–100	$120–200	$250–400
Health Insurance	$120–180	$180–280	$280–500
Utilities & Internet	$80–110	$110–160	$160–220
Entertainment & Social	$100–200	$250–450	$500–900
Total Monthly	$1,310–1,840	$2,210–3,340	$3,690–5,820

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is consistently ranked among the world's best cities for digital nomads and retirees — and with good reason. The cost of living is 30–40% lower than Bangkok, the pace is relaxed, the weather is cooler (by Thai standards), and the expat community is warm and well-established. For tips on finding the right apartment in Chiang Mai, see our housing guide.

Expense	Frugal (A$/mth)	Comfortable (A$/mth)	Comfortable+ (A$/mth)
Rent (1 bed, good area)	$450–650	$700–1,100	$1,200–1,800
Food & Dining	$180–260	$320–480	$550–800
Transport	$50–90	$100–180	$200–350
Health Insurance	$120–180	$180–280	$280–500
Utilities & Internet	$70–100	$100–140	$140–190
Entertainment & Social	$80–150	$200–380	$400–700
Total Monthly	$950–1,430	$1,600–2,560	$2,770–4,340

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

HCMC is Vietnam's economic engine — busy, loud, brilliant, and genuinely affordable. The expat scene is growing fast, international food and services are widely available, and the city rewards those who embrace its energy. It's cheaper than Bangkok and has a rawness that some Australians love and others find overwhelming.

Expense	Frugal (A$/mth)	Comfortable (A$/mth)	Comfortable+ (A$/mth)
Rent (1 bed, expat area)	$500–750	$850–1,300	$1,400–2,200
Food & Dining	$150–220	$300–480	$550–900
Transport	$40–80	$100–180	$200–350
Health Insurance	$100–160	$160–250	$250–450
Utilities & Internet	$60–90	$90–130	$130–180
Entertainment & Social	$80–150	$200–380	$400–750
Total Monthly	$930–1,450	$1,700–2,720	$2,930–4,830

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang is Vietnam's sweet spot — a mid-sized coastal city with white-sand beaches, fast internet, a growing international community, and the lowest cost of living of our four cities. It's still under the radar compared to Bangkok and Bali, which means less crowding, better value, and a genuine local feel.

Expense	Frugal (A$/mth)	Comfortable (A$/mth)	Comfortable+ (A$/mth)
Rent (1 bed, near beach)	$350–550	$600–950	$1,000–1,600
Food & Dining	$130–200	$270–420	$480–750
Transport	$40–70	$80–150	$160–280
Health Insurance	$100–160	$160–250	$250–450
Utilities & Internet	$55–85	$85–120	$120–170
Entertainment & Social	$70–130	$170–320	$350–650
Total Monthly	$745–1,195	$1,365–2,210	$2,360–3,900

The Costs People Always Forget

Every budget I've seen online misses at least a few of these. Don't let them surprise you:

• Flights home: Bangkok–Sydney is roughly A$800–1,400 return. Budget one trip home per year at minimum.
• Visa fees and renewals: Thailand retirement visa is around A$220 to apply; renewal roughly A$100 per year. Vietnamese visas vary by type but budget A$200–500 per year.
• International bank transfer fees: Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the standard — fees of 0.4–1% per transfer. Budget A$50–100/month depending on transfer frequency. See our money transfers guide to compare Wise, OFX, and Revolut.
• One-off setup costs: Furniture top-ups, new appliances, local SIM, initial deposits. Budget A$1,500–3,000 for the first month over your ongoing budget.
• Dental and optical: Both are excellent value in Thailand and Vietnam, but budget A$200–500 annually for routine care.
• Health insurance: This is a significant line item — see our full healthcare and insurance guide for detailed premium comparisons by age and insurer.

What's Your Number?

The honest answer: most Australians who work with me land somewhere between A$2,000 and A$3,200/month for a genuinely comfortable life — in any of the four cities. That includes good accommodation, eating out regularly, travel within the region, and having a social life. It doesn't include unusual medical costs or major purchases.

If your Australian income, pension, or savings can sustain A$2,500–3,000/month, Southeast Asia is financially viable. If your budget is A$1,500–2,000/month, you can absolutely make it work — especially in Chiang Mai or Da Nang — but you'll need to be more deliberate.