Buenos Aires wins overall by ~40% (COL index)
Cost of living: Buenos Aires vs Koh Samui (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Buenos Aires buys roughly what $125,000 does in Koh Samui (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Estimated annual swing
+$2,640/yr
Favoring Buenos Aires for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $220/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~69 months and still keep ~$26/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Buenos Aires Buenos Aires | Koh Samui Surat Thani Province | Who wins | Your impact at $75K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $280Wins | $450 | Buenos wins +$170/mo | $2,040/yr saves in Buenos |
| 1BR rent/mo | $400Wins | $620 | Buenos wins +$220/mo | $2,640/yr saves in Buenos |
| 2BR rent/mo | $660Wins | $950 | Buenos wins +$290/mo | $3,480/yr saves in Buenos |
| Median home price | — | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $4Wins | $5 | Buenos wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $20Better | $20 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $40Wins | $70 | Buenos wins +$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Buenos |
| Internet/mo | $20Wins | $28 | Buenos wins +$8/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 21.0% | 7.0%Wins | Koh Samui wins -14.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $22Wins | $35 | Buenos wins +$13/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 30Wins | 50 | Buenos wins +20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 72Wins | 35 | Buenos wins -37 more/yr | — |
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Buenos Aires fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Buenos Aires.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,640/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolWhile you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buenos Aires cheaper than Koh Samui?
Yes. Buenos Aires is 40% cheaper than Koh Samui based on overall cost of living indices (30 vs 50, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Buenos Aires vs Koh Samui?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Buenos Aires is $400/month and in Koh Samui is $620/month. Buenos Aires is cheaper by 35%.
How much do I need to earn in Koh Samui to match a $75,000 salary in Buenos Aires?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $125,000/year in Koh Samui to match a $75,000 salary in Buenos Aires. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Buenos Aires or Koh Samui?
Koh Samui has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Koh Samui has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Buenos Aires to Koh Samui?
It depends on your priorities. Buenos Aires offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Buenos Aires ↔ Koh Samui
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