Thailand vs Indonesia
Indonesia costs roughly 37% less than Thailand, though Thailand scores higher on both safety and healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Indonesia is approximately 37% less expensive than Thailand based on cost of living including rent. This makes Indonesia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Indonesia has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 54, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Indonesia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Thailand
Thailand is best for retirees seeking low costs, with a Retirement Visa requiring only a $30,000 foreign exchange deposit or monthly income. Living costs are a third of US norms: a single person spends $603/month excluding rent, and a 1-bedroom in a city center is $475. However, the main trade-off is no clear pathway to citizenship, and political stability is weak perceptions remain weak.
$1,922/mo
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About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,259/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Thailand | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 106.2 +3.8 | 102.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 77.5 +16.6 | 60.9 |
| Safety Index | 62.7 +8.7 | 54 |
| Cost of Living Index | 33.7 | 24.6 +9.1 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $603.1 | $429.7 +173.4 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,202.6 | $1,529 +673.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $474.83 | $311.05 +163.78 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $282.3 | $177.94 +104.36 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,272.35 | $835.58 +436.77 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $678 | $479.89 +198.11 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 355.22 Mbps +280.3 | 74.88 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Indonesia. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Thailand and Indonesia, side by side.
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