Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Thailand Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Koh Samui's property market is included in our pack
Koh Samui has become one of Thailand's most popular retirement destinations, offering tropical beaches, modern healthcare, and a relaxed island lifestyle.
In this guide, we break down exactly how much money you need to retire in Koh Samui in 2026, covering everything from minimum survival budgets to luxury villa living.
We also cover the current housing prices in Koh Samui and constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui.
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Daniel Rouquette 🇫🇷
CEO & Co-Founder at Villa Finder
How much money do I need to retire in Koh Samui right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Koh Samui?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Koh Samui in 2026 is around 40,000 Thai baht, which equals roughly $1,275 or €1,215.
At this level, your budget covers a basic inland studio or one-bedroom apartment, minimal air conditioning use, a scooter for transport, simple local food, and only basic healthcare with limited insurance coverage.
Living on this minimum in Koh Samui means accepting significant trade-offs: you will likely be located far from the beach, you will need to cook most meals at home, you cannot use air conditioning freely during hot months, and you will have very limited funds for emergencies or medical care.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (around 62,800 baht) in Koh Samui gives you a modest but functional lifestyle where you can cover essentials but need to watch your spending carefully.
For housing, you can afford a simple one-bedroom apartment in inland areas like Maenam, the outskirts of Lamai, or the Nathon side, typically costing between 15,000 and 25,000 baht ($480 to $800, or €455 to €760) per month, since the average one-bedroom asking rent on the island is already around 41,800 baht.
At this budget, you can enjoy occasional meals at local Thai restaurants, use a basic gym, visit the beach regularly, and attend free community events, but you will mostly cook at home and rely on a scooter rather than taxis.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Koh Samui is that you cannot afford beachfront living, you must be disciplined about air conditioning use during hot months, and any unexpected medical expense will strain your budget significantly.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (around 94,100 baht) in Koh Samui provides a comfortable lifestyle where you can enjoy the island without constantly worrying about expenses.
For housing, you can afford a nicer one-bedroom or an entry-level two-bedroom apartment in popular areas like Bo Phut, Maenam, Lamai, Bangrak, or Chaweng Noi, with rents typically ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 baht ($955 to $1,595, or €910 to €1,520) per month.
At this level, you can eat out at restaurants several times a week, enjoy coffee shop and coworking habits, join fitness classes or a gym with good facilities, take occasional weekend trips to nearby islands like Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, and afford decent private health insurance.
The key upgrade from $2,000 to $3,000 per month in Koh Samui is that you gain real neighborhood choice, can use air conditioning more freely without stressing over electricity bills, and have a proper healthcare safety net.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (around 157,000 baht) in Koh Samui delivers a very comfortable lifestyle, while $10,000 per month (around 314,000 baht) puts you firmly in luxury territory with few financial constraints.
At $5,000, you can rent a quality two-bedroom apartment with sea views or a modest villa, typically costing 50,000 to 80,000 baht ($1,595 to $2,550, or €1,520 to €2,430) per month, while at $10,000 you can access premium sea-view villas in exclusive areas like Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, or the Bo Phut hills, often with private pools, for 120,000 to 200,000 baht ($3,825 to $6,375, or €3,640 to €6,070) per month.
At the $5,000 to $10,000 range in Koh Samui, you can afford regular fine dining at the island's best restaurants, hire household help for cleaning and gardening, take frequent domestic and international trips, use taxis whenever convenient, and access premium fitness and wellness facilities.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a comfortable retirement in Koh Samui requires a monthly budget of around 110,000 baht, which equals approximately $3,500 or €3,335.
To protect against unexpected expenses like medical emergencies, electricity spikes during hot months, or seasonal rent increases, you should add a buffer of 20%, bringing your safe monthly target to around 132,000 baht ($4,200 or €4,000).
A comfortable budget in Koh Samui covers expenses that a basic budget cannot: quality health insurance with good coverage, regular dining out, a proper emergency fund, freedom to use air conditioning without stress, gym memberships, occasional travel, and the flexibility to hire help for cleaning or other services.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in Koh Samui requires a monthly budget of 200,000 to 320,000 baht, which equals approximately $6,400 to $10,200, or €6,100 to €9,700.
At this level in Koh Samui, you can afford a premium sea-view villa with a private pool (renting for 150,000 baht or more per month), a full-time housekeeper or gardener, top-tier international health insurance, a personal driver when needed, and membership at exclusive beach clubs and wellness retreats.
The most popular neighborhoods for luxury retirees in Koh Samui include Choeng Mon for its quiet beaches and upscale villas, Plai Laem for modern developments with ocean views, the hillside areas of Bo Phut overlooking Fisherman's Village, and Chaweng Noi for proximity to restaurants while avoiding the main tourist crowds.
The main advantage of a luxury budget in Koh Samui beyond comfort is that it provides complete flexibility: you can weather any seasonal price fluctuations, afford the best medical care without hesitation, and fully enjoy the island's premium experiences without compromise.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Thailand. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Koh Samui in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Koh Samui?
A realistic monthly budget for a comfortable retiree lifestyle in Koh Samui in 2026 breaks down roughly as follows: rent 45,000 baht ($1,435 or €1,365), utilities 6,500 baht ($207 or €197), internet and mobile 1,200 baht ($38 or €36), food 22,000 baht ($700 or €667), transport 8,000 baht ($255 or €243), health insurance and care 15,000 baht ($478 or €455), leisure and fitness 8,000 baht ($255 or €243), and miscellaneous expenses 4,300 baht ($137 or €130), totaling around 110,000 baht ($3,505 or €3,338).
Housing typically accounts for about 40% of a retiree's monthly budget in Koh Samui, which is higher than mainland Thailand because island real estate commands a premium, especially near beaches.
Food and groceries usually take up about 20% of the monthly budget in Koh Samui, which works out to around 22,000 baht ($700 or €667) for a mix of home cooking and eating out.
The budget category that varies most depending on personal lifestyle in Koh Samui is electricity, because heavy air conditioning use during hot months can double or triple your power bill compared to minimal use.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Koh Samui?
The three hidden fees that surprise foreigners most in Koh Samui are electricity bill spikes from air conditioning (which can add 3,000 to 5,000 baht or $95 to $160 per month during hot season), ongoing immigration paperwork costs like 90-day reporting and re-entry permits (1,000 to 3,800 baht or $32 to $121 per trip), and rental deposits that typically require two months upfront plus unexpected furniture replacement costs.
When first arriving in Koh Samui, foreigners should budget for one-time setup fees including visa application (5,000 baht or $160 or €152), initial rental deposit (two months, so roughly 80,000 to 100,000 baht or $2,550 to $3,185 or €2,430 to €3,030), scooter purchase or long-term rental deposit (15,000 to 40,000 baht or $480 to $1,275 or €455 to €1,215), and basic household items.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Koh Samui is around 41,800 baht ($1,330 or €1,270), while a two-bedroom averages around 72,100 baht ($2,300 or €2,190).
For a one-bedroom in Koh Samui, rents range from around 15,000 baht ($480 or €455) for a basic inland unit in areas like Nathon or inner Maenam, up to 60,000 baht ($1,910 or €1,820) or more for a modern apartment near the beach in Bo Phut or Chaweng.
For a two-bedroom in Koh Samui, rents range from around 35,000 baht ($1,115 or €1,060) for a simple inland place, up to 120,000 baht ($3,825 or €3,640) or more for a sea-view unit in premium locations like Choeng Mon or Plai Laem.
Retirees seeking affordable rent in Koh Samui often find the best value in Maenam (quiet, local feel, good amenities), the Nathon area (the island's administrative center with lower tourist prices), and inland parts of Lamai (close to beaches but without beachfront premiums).
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Koh Samui.
What do utilities cost monthly in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, total monthly utilities for a typical retiree apartment in Koh Samui range from 3,500 to 9,000 baht ($112 to $287, or €106 to €273), depending heavily on air conditioning usage.
Electricity is the largest variable cost in Koh Samui, typically running 2,500 to 7,000 baht ($80 to $223, or €76 to €212) per month, while water costs are much lower at around 200 to 500 baht ($6 to $16, or €6 to €15) for a condo, and cooking gas (if used) adds another 200 to 400 baht ($6 to $13, or €6 to €12).
Internet service in Koh Samui costs around 600 to 900 baht ($19 to $29, or €18 to €27) per month for fiber connections, and a mobile phone plan with good data runs about 300 to 500 baht ($10 to $16, or €9 to €15) monthly.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single retiree in Koh Samui should budget between 16,000 and 42,000 baht ($510 to $1,340, or €485 to €1,275) per month for food and transportation combined, depending on lifestyle choices.
For groceries and home cooking in Koh Samui, a single retiree can expect to spend between 8,000 and 15,000 baht ($255 to $480, or €243 to €455) per month, with costs higher if you prefer imported Western products from stores like Makro or Tesco Lotus.
Dining out regularly in Koh Samui adds significantly to food costs: local Thai meals cost 60 to 120 baht ($2 to $4) each, while Western restaurant meals typically run 300 to 600 baht ($10 to $19), so frequent restaurant dining can easily push your food budget to 25,000 baht ($800 or €760) or more per month.
For transportation in Koh Samui, owning or renting a scooter costs around 3,000 to 5,000 baht ($95 to $160, or €90 to €152) per month including fuel, while relying on taxis and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) can cost 8,000 to 12,000 baht ($255 to $382, or €243 to €364) monthly since public transport is limited and taxi fares are not metered.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Koh Samui
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Can I retire in Koh Samui if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median asking price for a house or villa in Koh Samui is around 14.2 million baht ($452,000 or €430,500), while the median condo price is around 4 million baht ($127,000 or €121,000).
Prices in Koh Samui vary dramatically by location: affordable inland houses start around 5 million baht ($160,000 or €152,000), while premium beachfront villas in Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, or Bo Phut can exceed 50 million baht ($1.6 million or €1.5 million).
For foreign retirees, condos often offer the best value in Koh Samui because foreigners can legally own condominium units outright (up to 49% of a building's total area), whereas owning land requires complex structures like Thai company ownership or long-term leases.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Koh Samui.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, most foreign retirees buying property in Koh Samui should plan on paying 100% cash because Thai banks rarely offer mortgages to foreigners without Thai income or assets, and if financing is available, down payments typically range from 30% to 50%, meaning 1.2 to 2 million baht ($38,000 to $64,000, or €36,000 to €61,000) for a median-priced condo.
Yes, foreigners generally face higher down payment requirements than Thai nationals in Koh Samui, and in practice most foreign buyers purchase properties outright because securing a Thai mortgage requires proving local income, having a work permit, or arranging offshore financing, which most retirees cannot easily do.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Koh Samui.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Thailand.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the all-in monthly cost to own a typical condo in Koh Samui ranges from 27,000 to 33,000 baht ($860 to $1,050, or €820 to €1,000) if you have a mortgage, or around 7,000 to 13,000 baht ($223 to $414, or €212 to €394) if you own outright and only pay ongoing costs, while a villa can run 65,000 to 115,000 baht ($2,070 to $3,665, or €1,970 to €3,490) monthly.
These all-in figures for Koh Samui include mortgage payments (if applicable, calculated at around 6% interest over 20 years for planning purposes), common area fees ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 baht ($80 to $143, or €76 to €136), building insurance at 1,000 to 2,000 baht ($32 to $64, or €30 to €61), and utilities at 3,500 to 6,500 baht ($112 to $207, or €106 to €197).
Property taxes in Thailand are relatively low, typically under 1,000 baht ($32 or €30) annually for residential properties, but condo common area fees and sinking fund contributions in Koh Samui usually add 2,500 to 5,000 baht ($80 to $160, or €76 to €152) per month depending on building amenities like pools and gyms.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Koh Samui is villa maintenance: pools require regular cleaning and chemical treatment (3,000 to 8,000 baht monthly), gardens need upkeep (2,000 to 5,000 baht monthly), and the tropical climate causes faster wear on roofs, air conditioning units, and outdoor furniture than many foreigners expect.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Koh Samui.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, buying a condo in Koh Samui can cost around 27,000 to 33,000 baht ($860 to $1,050, or €820 to €1,000) per month all-in with a mortgage, compared to renting a similar one-bedroom at around 41,800 baht ($1,330 or €1,270), but buying ties up significant capital (at least 1.2 million baht or $38,000 for a down payment) that could otherwise generate returns.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes cheaper than renting in Koh Samui is around 8 to 12 years, depending on how much you pay upfront, what returns you could earn on that cash elsewhere, and whether property values appreciate or depreciate.
The key factors that make buying more or less attractive than renting for retirees in Koh Samui include the legal complexity of foreign ownership (condos are straightforward, but houses require company structures or leases), the relatively illiquid resale market on the island (selling can take years), and the fact that rental yields in tourist areas can be attractive if you plan to rent out the property when traveling.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Thailand versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Koh Samui in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the main retirement visa for Koh Samui is the Non-Immigrant O-A visa, which costs 5,000 baht ($160 or €152) to apply for and allows a one-year stay with annual extensions.
To qualify for the O-A retirement visa in Thailand, you must be at least 50 years old and meet financial requirements: either 800,000 baht ($25,500 or €24,280) deposited in a Thai bank account, or monthly income of at least 65,000 baht ($2,070 or €1,970), or a combination of both.
Annual visa renewal costs in Koh Samui include the extension of stay application at 1,900 baht ($61 or €58), plus re-entry permits if you travel internationally: 1,000 baht ($32 or €30) for single re-entry or 3,800 baht ($121 or €115) for multiple re-entry throughout the year.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Koh Samui is letting their Thai bank balance drop below 800,000 baht before their extension review, since immigration officers check that the funds have been maintained for at least two to three months before renewal, not just deposited right before the appointment.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, if you spend 180 days or more per year in Thailand (making you a tax resident), you may owe Thai income tax on foreign-sourced income that you transfer into the country during the same tax year, with rates ranging from 0% to 35% depending on the amount.
Common types of foreign income like pensions, investment dividends, and rental income from abroad are potentially taxable in Thailand if you are a tax resident and remit those funds into the country; however, Social Security payments from many countries may be partially or fully exempt under tax treaties.
Thailand has tax treaties with over 60 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and most of Europe, which can reduce or eliminate double taxation, but the specific treatment depends on your home country's agreement with Thailand and the type of income involved.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to Koh Samui is that Thailand now requires tax residents to report and potentially pay tax on foreign income remitted in the same year it is earned, so timing when you transfer money into Thailand can significantly affect your tax liability.
What health insurance do retirees need in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, most foreign retirees in Koh Samui need private health insurance, which typically costs between 5,000 and 15,000 baht ($160 to $480, or €152 to €455) per month depending on age, coverage level, and pre-existing conditions.
Foreigners generally cannot access Thailand's public healthcare system for free; public hospitals will treat you but charge fees, and the quality of care varies significantly, which is why most retirees in Koh Samui prefer private hospitals like Bangkok Hospital Samui or Samui International Hospital, where English-speaking staff and modern facilities are standard.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Koh Samui, including insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs for routine visits, medications, and dental care, ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 baht ($3,185 to $6,375, or €3,030 to €6,070), with higher costs for those over 65 or with chronic conditions.
Buying real estate in Koh Samui can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Koh Samui, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of Thailand | Thailand's central bank publishes the official exchange rates. | We used it to convert all USD and EUR amounts into Thai baht using January 2026 rates. We treat it as the baseline for all currency conversions throughout this guide. |
| Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) | PEA is Thailand's state utility that sets official electricity tariffs. | We used it to price electricity per kWh and the monthly service charge. We then estimated realistic monthly bills for air conditioning-heavy island living. |
| PEA Ft Surcharge Schedule | This is the official fuel adjustment charge applied to electricity bills. | We added this Ft per kWh on top of the base tariff to estimate real bills in early 2026. We also used it to explain why electricity costs spike in hot months. |
| Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) | PWA is the government water utility with official tariff schedules. | We used the Koh Samui-specific table to estimate monthly water costs by cubic meters. We also used the minimum charge to anchor low-usage budget estimates. |
| Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs | The official government source for retirement visa requirements and fees. | We used it for O-A financial requirements (800,000 baht deposit or 65,000 baht monthly income) and visa fees. We use it to help you understand how much cash you must keep available. |
| FazWaz Rental Listings | A major Thai property portal with transparent average rent snapshots. | We used it to anchor realistic one-bedroom and two-bedroom rent levels. We treat these as asking-rent data and cross-check with local market observations. |
| FazWaz Sales Listings | Aggregates active sale listings with clear median prices. | We used it as our typical condo and house price anchor for Koh Samui. We also used the price per square meter to sanity-check ownership costs and value tiers. |
| National Statistical Office (NSO) | Thailand's official statistics agency for nationwide expenditure data. | We used it to benchmark baseline Thai household spending levels. We then adjusted upward for Koh Samui's island and tourism premium. |
| Thailand Revenue Department | The official tax authority explaining how foreign income is treated. | We used it to explain that foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand is included in taxable income for tax residents. We use it to help you plan whether and when to transfer pension or investment income. |
| BOI LTR Visa Program | The Long-Term Resident visa is administered by Thailand's Board of Investment. | We used it for the 10-year visa fee (50,000 baht) and program details. We use it to compare premium visa options against classic retirement visas. |
| Thai Immigration | Published official fee schedules for extensions and re-entry permits. | We used it to compile annual visa maintenance costs. We reference it to help you budget for ongoing immigration paperwork. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Thailand compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
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