The question everyone asks before moving to Bangkok, and honestly, the answer changes depending on who you ask. A backpacker will tell you 30,000 baht a month is plenty. A finance executive in Sathorn will laugh at anything under 150,000. The truth sits somewhere in between, and it depends entirely on what "comfortable" means to you.

Let's break it down with real numbers, real neighborhoods, and real costs so you can plan properly instead of guessing.

Rent: Your Biggest Monthly Expense by Far

Housing will eat up 30 to 50 percent of your budget, and that's normal for Bangkok. The good news is you get a lot more for your money here than in Singapore, Hong Kong, or even Kuala Lumpur.

If you're a single professional looking for a studio or one bedroom near BTS Thong Lo or Phrom Phong, expect to pay 15,000 to 30,000 baht for something modern with a pool and gym. Buildings like The Lumpini 24 or Ideo Mobi Sukhumvit start around 18,000 baht for a well kept one bedroom unit.

Want to live near BTS Ari or MRT Lat Phrao? You can find solid one bedrooms for 10,000 to 18,000 baht. Push out to Bang Na or On Nut and prices drop even further, with decent studios going for 7,000 to 12,000 baht.

Families needing two or three bedrooms in areas like Ekkamai or Asoke should budget 35,000 to 70,000 baht depending on the building and floor. A place like Siri at Sukhumvit with a proper family layout near BTS Thong Lo runs around 45,000 to 55,000 baht per month.

Food: Eating Well Without Breaking the Bank

Bangkok is one of the best food cities on the planet, and it can be incredibly affordable if you eat like a local. A plate of pad kra pao at a street stall on Soi Rangnam costs 50 to 60 baht. A full lunch set at a food court in Terminal 21 runs about 70 to 90 baht.

If you cook at home, a weekly grocery run at Tops or Big C will set you back 1,500 to 3,000 baht depending on how much imported stuff you buy. Villa Market in Phrom Phong is great but pricier, especially for cheese, wine, and Western staples.

Eating out at mid range restaurants like Rocket Coffeebar on Soi Sathon 12 or Broccoli Revolution in Thong Lo costs around 250 to 450 baht per meal. Fine dining is available too, but that's a lifestyle choice, not a necessity.

Realistic monthly food budget: 8,000 to 15,000 baht if you mix street food, home cooking, and occasional restaurant meals. Bump that to 20,000 to 25,000 if you eat out most days at Western style spots.

Transport, Utilities, and the Stuff You Forget

Getting around Bangkok is cheap if you use the BTS and MRT. A monthly Rabbit Card top up of 1,500 to 2,500 baht covers most commutes. Grab rides add up faster than people expect, so budget another 2,000 to 4,000 baht if you use ride hailing regularly.

Utilities in a condo typically run 2,000 to 5,000 baht per month. Air conditioning is the big variable. If you blast it 24 hours a day during April, your electric bill will spike to 3,000 to 4,000 baht easily in a one bedroom.

Internet is affordable. True or AIS fiber packages with solid speeds cost 600 to 900 baht monthly. Phone plans run 300 to 700 baht for plenty of data. These small costs add up, so factor in about 4,000 to 8,000 baht total for utilities, internet, and phone combined.

Health, Insurance, and Social Life

Healthcare in Bangkok is excellent and relatively affordable. A visit to Bumrungrad or Samitivej without insurance costs 1,500 to 3,000 baht for a general consultation. Many expats carry private health insurance ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 baht per month depending on coverage and age.

Gym memberships at places like Fitness First or Jetts run 1,500 to 3,000 baht monthly. A social life involving weekend drinks at bars along Soi 11 or rooftop spots like Octave at the Marriott Thong Lo can cost 2,000 to 6,000 baht per month depending on your pace.

Consider a personal example. A 32 year old remote worker living in a one bedroom at Life Asoke Hype near MRT Phetchaburi spends roughly 55,000 baht per month total. That covers 16,000 baht rent, 12,000 baht food, 4,000 baht transport, 5,000 baht utilities, 8,000 baht health insurance, and 10,000 baht for fun and miscellaneous. She describes her lifestyle as very comfortable.

So What's the Magic Number?

For a single person, 40,000 to 60,000 baht per month gets you a genuinely comfortable life in Bangkok. You'll have a nice condo, eat well, go out on weekends, and not stress about every purchase.

Couples without kids can live well on 60,000 to 90,000 baht combined. Families with children in international schools need to budget 120,000 to 200,000 baht or more, since tuition alone at schools like Bangkok Patana or NIST can run 30,000 to 80,000 baht monthly per child.

The biggest lever you have is rent. Finding the right condo at the right price in the right neighborhood changes everything about your monthly budget. That single decision shapes whether 50,000 baht feels tight or totally relaxed.

If you're starting your Bangkok apartment search, Superagent at superagent.co matches you with condos based on your budget, preferred BTS or MRT line, and lifestyle needs. It takes the guesswork out of the process so you can focus on actually enjoying this city.