Best digital nomad rentals: affordable living options in Thailand

Ikechukwu Ibe

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If you dream of working and relaxing on a beachfront, Thailand should be your next travel destination. The country's beautiful landscape, islands, tourist attractions, and other infrastructure built to cater to digital nomads have made it a want-to-visit location.

In this article, we'll cover the best affordable rental options you can explore across Thailand.

Why is Thailand an excellent choice for digital nomads

Pleasant climate: During the dry season, the country boasts warm weather, making it an ideal destination if you love outdoor activities.

Rich Culture: Thailand's culture has played a role in retaining digital nomads and tourists with their festivals, deep history, and temples, amongst other fun engagement

Affordable cost of living: With a $500 - $1,500 budget, you can explore Thailand and its threshing beauty.

Welcoming locals: Also called the ‘Land of Smiles,’ Thailand's people are very hospitable and homely.

Affordable cities for digital nomads in Thailand

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Thailand Grey

Located in northern Thailand, the city has welcomed expats and digital nomads from around the world. Whether you're an adventure lover or a conservative, there's something exciting for you to do. From temples to tea shops and mountain climbing, you're certain of a great time.

Chiang Mai is also built to serve digital nomads. With great workspaces, excellent internet connections, affordable rent, and an average budget of $600-$1000, living in the city will be a walk in the park.

Affordability and cost of living

Chiang Mai offers an affordable cost of living compared to other cities in Thailand. The average budget is $700-$1,000, which covers rent, food, electricity, water, and other amenities.

As a digital nomad living in Chiang Mai, you can explore affordable areas like Old Town, Nimmon, and Lang Mor, with great atmospheres, cafes, and coworking spaces.

Working infrastructures

With well-built infrastructures to cater to digital nomads, the city has ensured that staying connected is never a hassle. This includes co-working spaces and cafes.

You can explore popular workspaces like Yellow Coworking, One Workspace, and Alt_Chiang Mai. These spaces offer great internet connections, a conducive environment for high productivity, and networking opportunities.

Bangkok

Bangkok Thailand Grey

Bangkok is the capital and busiest city in Thailand. The city houses modern business infrastructures and workspaces for expats and digital nomads. If you enjoy a busy life with a blend of fun activities, then Bangkok is the place for you.

Bangkok offers a vibrant culture, delightful cuisine, and exciting nightlife to explore when you're off the clock. It also has an international airport, making it the first stop for tourists and making it easier to travel to and from the city.

Cost of living

While living in the capital of the country might be relatively higher than other cities, some affordable areas you can explore include Victoria Monument, Ari, Asok, and Sukhumvit.

The monthly budget for living in Bangkok ranges from $600-$1,500 for a more conservative nomad and $1,500 - $2,500 if you want to splurge on some luxuries. The city offers several benefits to digital nomads, one of which is easy access to other parts of the world.

Digital infrastructure

Bangkok has invested heavily in building the city, making it home to thriving industries, and developing the technological ecosystem. This has attracted founders, freelancers, and digital nomads with provisions to cater to their creativity.

Some of the most popular coworking spaces you can visit during your stay in Bangkok are WeWork, JustCo, The Hive, and Union Space.

Krabi

Krabi Thailand Grey

The city is home to beautiful beaches and islands. Krabi was built for more touristy activities; however, as a digital worker, you can work from cafes with great internet connections. You can also experience festivals, cuisines, and an affordable cost of living relatively lower than other cities.

Cost of living in Krabi

Touring the city of beaches and islands is less expensive than cities closer to the capital of the country. With an average budget of $500 - $1,500, depending on your lifestyle choices, you can live comfortably here in Krabi.

There are affordable options on the southern side, like Ao Nang, Koh Lang, Krabi town (with lots of restaurants, cafés and coworking spaces with strong internet connections), and Klong Muang and Tubkaek Beach on the northern side of Krabi if you are looking for a quieter lifestyle.

Digital infrastructure

Hostels are more affordable than resorts and hotels. They offer communal living and a great opportunity to build connections with fellow expats and digital nomads. You can enjoy other activities or extend your stay with additional funds to splurge on.

Phuket

Phuket Thailand Grey

You'll miss out on a lot of fun if you haven't seen the city of Phuket. This city has the most stunning beaches and islands in southern Thailand. While living in the city, you'll almost never run out of activities — it's heavily invested in tourism.

The cost of living might be slightly higher than in other regions; you can live comfortably with an average monthly budget of $600-$2000. However, this differs based on lifestyle choices.

Affordability and cost of living

Living in Phuket depends on your choices, as the city caters to both budget-friendly and high-end tourists. However, the average monthly expenses range from $800 to $1,300.

Neighborhoods like Patong, Karon, and Kata stand out for those seeking affordable yet comfortable living. These areas not only offer budget-friendly rental options but also boast convenient access to stunning beaches, vibrant local markets, and a variety of dining and entertainment venues.

Phuket has something for every lifestyle: a laid-back island scene or a bustling social scene.

Working remotely in Phuket as a digital nomad

Phuket offers an ideal environment for digital nomads, blending tropical beauty with modern amenities to foster productivity and creativity. The island is home to various coworking spaces catering to professionals seeking a dynamic and inspiring work atmosphere.

Workspaces such as Bayaco, Coco, and Grind Time are some places you can explore while living here in Phuket.

Whether you're chasing deadlines or brainstorming your next big idea, these spaces are designed to make work both enjoyable and efficient.

Affordable accommodation options in Thailand.

Guest House

If you want to splurge on luxury, you might consider staying in a resort. These resorts are built in front of beaches, with top-tier services such as spas, fitness centers, and pools. With a budget of $10 per night to $600 monthly, you will be up to a good start.

Hostel

Hostels are more affordable than resorts and hotels. They offer communal living and a great opportunity to build connections with fellow expats and digital nomads. With additional funds to splurge on, you can enjoy other activities or extend your stay.

Hotels:

Thailand offers several hotel options, from 5-star to a more budget-friendly price. With an average budget of $20 - $100, you can find a hotel with amenities like a gym and restaurants.

Exploring Thailand as a digital nomad.

These destinations offer great experiences for digital nomads — from workspaces to tourist attractions. One thing you want to handle is spending locally. Well, you can cross that off your list with Grey. Create foreign accounts in minutes, and you're ready to go.

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