Can I Afford to Live in Austin vs Koh Samui on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Austin, TX
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Koh Samui, TH
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (7% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Austin
TX
Koh Samui
TH
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$8,944
1BR rent
$1,800
$620Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$50Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$170
$70Best ✓
Internet
$65
$28Best ✓
Left after essentials
$6,487/month
$7,696/month
Both Austin and Koh Samui have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Austin?

At $150K/year in Austin, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 20% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Koh Samui?

At $150K/year in Koh Samui, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $620/month, rent takes up 7% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Koh Samui leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,696/month vs $6,487/month in Austin.

Can I afford to live alone in Austin on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Austin, rent takes 20% of your take-home, leaving $6,487/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Austin vs Koh Samui

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only