This is a hypothetical, illustrative case study built from the ranges in our cost-of-living guide — not a real client's finances. It's meant to show how the numbers add up in practice for a comfortable, not extravagant, retirement.
Meet "Robert and Linda" — a fictional retired couple in their late 60s, living in a comfortable two-bedroom condominium in Chiang Mai, eating out a few times a week, with a standard international health insurance plan.
Illustrative Monthly Breakdown
- Housing (2BR condo, rent): ~$900
- Food & dining (mix of cooking and eating out): ~$650
- Health insurance for two: ~$550
- Transportation (motorbike + occasional taxi): ~$200
- Utilities (A/C used regularly): ~$200
- Leisure (golf, spa, occasional travel): ~$450
Illustrative monthly total: roughly $2,950 for two people.
What Would Change This
A villa instead of a condo, a more comprehensive insurance plan, more frequent international dining, or regular travel would push this figure up. Conversely, a smaller condo, mostly local food, and a simpler lifestyle could bring a couple's budget closer to $1,800–$2,200 per month.
Housing: THB 12,000 – 35,000 per Month
A modern one-bedroom condominium with pool and gym in the Nimman or Old City area runs THB 12,000 to 18,000 per month. A larger two-bedroom unit with mountain views costs THB 20,000 to 35,000. Furnished houses with gardens in Hang Dong or Mae Rim start at THB 15,000. These prices include furnishings, air conditioning and building maintenance — a fully equipped home for a fraction of what a studio apartment costs in most Western cities.
Food: THB 8,000 – 20,000 per Month
Eating out at local restaurants costs THB 50 to 100 per meal. Western restaurants run THB 200 to 500 per dish. A couple cooking at home with fresh market produce spends around THB 8,000 to 12,000 monthly. Most retirees mix home cooking with regular restaurant meals, landing at THB 12,000 to 20,000 per month for two people — eating extremely well.
Healthcare: THB 3,000 – 15,000 per Month
Private health insurance for retirees aged 55 to 65 runs approximately THB 8,000 to 15,000 per month depending on coverage level. Out-of-pocket doctor visits at private hospitals cost THB 500 to 1,500. Many retirees use a combination of insurance for major events and pay-as-you-go for routine visits, averaging THB 5,000 to 10,000 monthly.
Transportation: THB 3,000 – 8,000 per Month
Chiang Mai is compact enough that most retirees manage without owning a car. Grab (ride-hailing) trips across the city cost THB 60 to 150. Renting a motorbike costs THB 3,000 to 4,000 monthly, or a car for THB 12,000 to 18,000. Many retirees use a combination of Grab, red songthaew shared trucks (THB 30 per trip) and occasional car rental for excursions.
Utilities and Internet: THB 3,000 – 5,000 per Month
Electricity runs THB 1,500 to 4,000 depending on air conditioning use. Water is THB 100 to 200. High-speed fibre internet costs THB 600 to 900 for speeds that rival or exceed Western broadband. Mobile phone plans with generous data run THB 400 to 800 monthly.
Lifestyle and Leisure: THB 5,000 – 15,000 per Month
Gym memberships start at THB 1,500 monthly. Golf green fees run THB 800 to 2,500 per round. Cinema tickets cost THB 200. Massage sessions are THB 200 to 400 per hour. Weekend day trips, cooking classes and social club memberships add variety without heavy expense. Most retirees find they can afford more leisure activities here than they ever could at home.
Total Monthly Budget Summary
A comfortable lifestyle for a single retiree runs USD 1,200 to 1,800 per month. A couple can live very well on USD 1,800 to 3,000. Premium lifestyles with a private house, car, regular golf and frequent dining out reach USD 3,000 to 5,000 — still dramatically below comparable living standards in most Western countries.
Try the interactive calculator to build your own estimate.
Open the Budget CalculatorFigures are illustrative planning estimates in USD, not a quote or a real client's actual expenses, and will vary based on your specific choices and exchange rates.