Can I Afford to Live in Savannah vs Koh Samui on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Savannah, GA
$2,931/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (51% of take-home)
Difficult
Koh Samui, TH
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $620/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Savannah
GA
Koh Samui
TH
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,931
$3,160Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,500
$620Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$48Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$165
$70Best ✓
Internet
$62
$28Best ✓
Left after essentials
$787/month
$1,912/month
Koh Samui (Surat Thani Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Savannah (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Savannah?

At $50K/year in Savannah, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,931. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 51% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $50K a good salary in Koh Samui?

At $50K/year in Koh Samui, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $620/month, rent takes up 20% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Koh Samui leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,912/month vs $787/month in Savannah.

Can I afford to live alone in Savannah on $50K?

It's tight. Rent in Savannah would take 51% of your $50K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Savannah vs Koh Samui

$40K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$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