Can I Afford to Live in Missoula 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.

Missoula, MT
$8,094/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (16% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Koh Samui, TH
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (7% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Missoula
MT
Koh Samui
TH
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,094
$8,944Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,300
$620Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$376Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$45Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$145
$70Best ✓
Internet
$68
$28Best ✓
Left after essentials
$6,160/month
$7,696/month
Koh Samui (Surat Thani Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Missoula (MT rate: 6.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Missoula?

At $150K/year in Missoula, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,094. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 16% 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 $6,160/month in Missoula.

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

Yes. At $150K in Missoula, rent takes 16% of your take-home, leaving $6,160/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Missoula vs Koh Samui

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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