Can I Afford to Live in Koh Samui vs Virginia Beach on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Koh Samui, TH
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (9% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Virginia Beach, VA
$6,575/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Koh Samui
TH
Virginia Beach
VA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$7,155Best ✓
$6,575
1BR rent
$620Best ✓
$1,550
Groceries (est.)
$380
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$48Best ✓
Utilities
$70Best ✓
$170
Internet
$28Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$5,907/month
$4,378/month
Koh Samui (Surat Thani Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Virginia Beach (VA rate: 5.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Koh Samui?

At $120K/year in Koh Samui, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $620/month, rent takes up 9% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Virginia Beach?

At $120K/year in Virginia Beach, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,575. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Koh Samui leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,907/month vs $4,378/month in Virginia Beach.

Can I afford to live alone in Koh Samui on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Koh Samui, rent takes 9% of your take-home, leaving $5,907/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Koh Samui vs Virginia Beach

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

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