Can I Afford to Live in Koh Samui vs Porto on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Koh Samui, TH
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable
Porto, PT
$2,062/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Koh Samui
TH
Porto
PT
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,728Best ✓
$2,062
1BR rent
$620Best ✓
$1,100
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$70Best ✓
$85
Internet
$28Best ✓
$30
Left after essentials
$1,480/month
$317/month
Koh Samui (Surat Thani Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Porto (PT rate: 20%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Koh Samui?

At $40K/year in Koh Samui, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $620/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $40K a good salary in Porto?

At $40K/year in Porto, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,062. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 53% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Koh Samui leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,480/month vs $317/month in Porto.

Can I afford to live alone in Koh Samui on $40K?

Yes. At $40K in Koh Samui, rent takes 23% of your take-home, leaving $1,480/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Koh Samui vs Porto

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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