You've just landed in Bangkok, scrolled through hundreds of listings, and now you're staring at two options that look almost identical from the photos. One is a condo for 25,000 baht a month. The other is a serviced apartment for 35,000. The serviced apartment includes cleaning and Wi-Fi, so maybe it's actually cheaper? This is the exact moment where most renters in Bangkok get confused. Let's break the real numbers down so you can make the right call for your budget and lifestyle.

What You're Actually Paying For: Condo vs Serviced Apartment

A condo in Bangkok is a privately owned unit inside a larger building. You rent directly from the owner or through an agent. You handle your own utilities, internet, and cleaning. A serviced apartment is run by a management company, almost like a hotel with monthly rates. It bundles services like housekeeping, front desk, and sometimes breakfast into one price.

Here's a real example. A one bedroom condo at Life Asoke Hype near MRT Phetchaburi goes for roughly 18,000 to 22,000 baht per month. A comparable serviced apartment in the same Asoke area, say something like Jasmine Grande Residence, starts around 38,000 to 45,000 baht. That's nearly double the sticker price. But sticker price is only part of the story.

With the condo, you'll need to add electricity (typically 1,500 to 3,500 baht depending on how much AC you blast), water (100 to 300 baht), internet (600 to 900 baht), and maybe a cleaning service once a week (2,000 to 3,000 baht monthly). So your true monthly cost for that condo lands somewhere around 22,000 to 28,000 baht. The serviced apartment is still pricier, but the gap shrinks once you factor everything in.

The Hidden Costs That Catch Renters Off Guard

Condo rentals in Bangkok usually require a two month security deposit plus one month's rent upfront. That means for a 20,000 baht condo, you're putting down 60,000 baht before you even unpack a suitcase. Some owners also ask for a one month advance, pushing your move in cost to 80,000 baht.

Serviced apartments tend to be more flexible. Many ask for just one month's deposit, and some even offer weekly or daily rates if you're not ready to commit. Somerset Maison Asoke on Soi 23, for instance, offers monthly packages starting around 42,000 baht with a lighter deposit structure. If you're only staying three to six months, that lower upfront cost can make a real difference to your cash flow.

Then there's furniture. Most Bangkok condos come furnished, but "furnished" can mean a bed, a desk, and a microwave that barely works. If you want proper cookware, a decent mattress topper, or blackout curtains, budget another 5,000 to 15,000 baht for settling in. Serviced apartments come fully kitted out, down to the towels.

Location and Value: Where Each Option Wins

Condos give you way more options across Bangkok's map. You can find great units near BTS Onnut for 12,000 to 16,000 baht, or splurge on something at Muniq Sukhumvit 23 near BTS Asok for 35,000 to 50,000 baht. The sheer variety means you can match your budget to nearly any neighborhood.

Serviced apartments cluster in business and tourist districts. Sukhumvit between Soi 1 and Soi 39, Silom, Sathorn, and Wireless Road are where you'll find most of them. If you work at an office near BTS Chong Nonsi and want to walk to work with zero hassle, a place like Ascott Sathorn (starting around 50,000 baht monthly) makes life extremely easy. But if you're happy taking the BTS a few stops, a condo near BTS Udom Suk for 13,000 baht gives you the same city access at a fraction of the cost.

One more thing. Condo common area fees are paid by the owner, not you. But some owners quietly pass that cost along by bumping up rent. Always ask what the actual CAM fee is so you understand the full picture.

Who Should Pick Which Option

Serviced apartments make sense if you're staying less than six months, just relocated and need a landing pad, or genuinely value having someone else handle every detail. Digital nomads doing a three month Bangkok stint often start with a serviced apartment near BTS Nana or Ploenchit and then switch to a condo once they know which neighborhood fits them.

Condos are the smarter long term play. If you're here for a year or more, working at a company in Bangkok, or just want more space for your money, a condo wins on cost every time. A two bedroom unit at The Base Park West near BTS Onnut runs about 22,000 to 28,000 baht. A two bedroom serviced apartment in central Sukhumvit? You're looking at 60,000 baht and up.

Families especially benefit from condos. The extra square meters, the pool and gym included in the building, and the ability to truly settle into a space all add up. Serviced apartments start feeling cramped and hotel-like after a few months with kids running around.

A Quick Monthly Cost Comparison

For a one bedroom in the Sukhumvit corridor, here's a realistic side by side. Condo rent: 18,000 baht. Electricity: 2,500 baht. Water: 200 baht. Internet: 700 baht. Cleaning twice a month: 1,500 baht. Total: roughly 23,000 baht. Serviced apartment for the same area: 38,000 to 45,000 baht all in. That's a difference of 15,000 to 22,000 baht every single month. Over a year, you're saving 180,000 to 264,000 baht by going with a condo.

Of course, the serviced apartment gives you convenience and flexibility. That premium is real and it's valid for certain lifestyles. But if budget matters to you, the math is pretty clear.

The best approach is to know exactly how long you plan to stay and what services you actually use. If you never call housekeeping and you already have a Thai SIM with internet, you're paying a premium for things you don't need. Whether you go condo or serviced apartment, start your search on Superagent at superagent.co, where you can compare real listings with transparent pricing and get matched to the right place without the usual runaround.