Skyline of Khon Kaen
Cost of Living: 36 400,000

Khon Kaen, Thailand

A major educational and healthcare hub in northeastern Thailand with a very low cost of living and a growing international community centered around its universities.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 36

Below Average vs Thailand Avg (100)

Housing Index 25

Affordable

Median Income ฿220,000

Household income

Unemployment 1.5%

Job market health

Khon Kaen vs Thailand Average

Cost of Living
Khon Kaen: 36
Thailand Avg: 100
Housing Index
Khon Kaen: 25
Thailand Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ฿220,000
  • Unemployment: 1.5%
  • Population: 400,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 60°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: ฿1,500,000
  • 1BR Rent: ฿5000/mo

Cost of Living

Khon Kaen's cost of living index is 36 (Thailand average = 100).

CategoryKhon KaenNational AverageDifference
Overall36100-64.0%
Housing25100-75.0%

Data source: NSO Thailand / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price฿1,500,000
Median Rent (1BR)฿5000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)฿6,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft฿1,000

Data source: DDproperty / FazWaz, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

฿
%
$90,000 down
%
%
฿

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Khon Kaen:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity฿1500
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)฿49Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water฿500Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)฿600Broadband average
Garbage / Trash฿100Private service
Total Utilities฿2749Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: MEA, PEA, AIS, TrueMove 2025

Remote Work Score

Khon Kaen scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
36
Rent
฿5000
Sunny Days
250
Tax
None
Unemployment
1.5%
Climate
95°F / 60°F
Safety
4.5 homicides/100k
Population
400,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Khon Kaen has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January80°F60°F2.5"
April80°F75°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F78°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Khon Kaen faces the following natural hazards:

Typhoon High Risk

Significant typhoon risk.

Flood High Risk

Monsoon floods and Chao Phraya basin flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Western coast with tsunami risk.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 1.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Khon Kaen per 100,000 residents:

150.0
Violent Crime
300.0
Property Crime
4.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year May to March/April
Term System Semester — 1st (May-Oct), 2nd (Nov-Mar)
Summer Break March to May (6 weeks)
Winter Break October (3 weeks)
Spring Break Songkran (Thai New Year) in April (1 week)

School year starts in May. Long break in October between semesters.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1182
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Khon Kaen University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Khon Kaen, Thailand?

The cost of living index in Khon Kaen is 36, which is Lower the Thailand national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Khon Kaen?

The median home price in Khon Kaen is ฿1,500,000. The housing index is 25.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Khon Kaen is approximately ฿5000/mo.

Does Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen have income tax?

Khon Kaen is in Khon Kaen, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Khon Kaen?

Khon Kaen enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 60°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: NSO Thailand / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: DDproperty / FazWaz, 2026
  • Income & Employment: NSO Thailand Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities MEA, PEA, AIS, TrueMove 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.