Can I Afford to Live in Koh Samui vs Missoula on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Koh Samui, TH
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (16% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Missoula, MT
$3,453/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (38% of take-home)
Tight

Monthly budget breakdown

Koh Samui
TH
Missoula
MT
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,793Best ✓
$3,453
1BR rent
$620Best ✓
$1,300
Groceries (est.)
$380
$376Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$45Best ✓
Utilities
$70Best ✓
$145
Internet
$28Best ✓
$68
Left after essentials
$2,545/month
$1,519/month
Koh Samui (Surat Thani Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Missoula (MT rate: 6.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Koh Samui?

At $60K/year in Koh Samui, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $620/month, rent takes up 16% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $60K a good salary in Missoula?

At $60K/year in Missoula, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,453. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 38% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

Koh Samui leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,545/month vs $1,519/month in Missoula.

Can I afford to live alone in Koh Samui on $60K?

Yes. At $60K in Koh Samui, rent takes 16% of your take-home, leaving $2,545/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Koh Samui vs Missoula

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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