About

  • About Tech Cities Index
  • Methodology
  • FAQ

Tools

  • Salary Converter
  • LinkedIn Network

Built with ❤️ by

Tech Cities Index LogoTech Cities Index
Salary ConverterLinkedIn NetworkAbout
Mohamed Oun
Bangkok
#77 of 124
Asia

Bangkok

Thailand

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Bangkok compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Bangkok is 52% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Bangkok compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$34,106
-$238K (-87%) vs San Francisco
Based on 224 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$28,990
-$143K (-83%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 15%

Community Insights

New

Bangkok offers a high-contrast experience for software engineers. For those with senior-level experience or remote Western jobs, it is a paradise of high disposable income, luxury living, and endless entertainment. The city is a major hub for digital nomads and houses a few top-tier tech companies (like Agoda) that offer a "Silicon Valley lite" experience in the tropics. However, the trade-offs are significant: pollution can be hazardous, traffic is debilitating, and the heat is unrelenting. The professional divide is sharp; working for a typical local Thai company is often discouraged due to lower pay and hierarchical structures, whereas securing a role at an international firm or working remotely is seen as the key to enjoying the city.

Resident Sentiment

Current expat residents generally feel they have "golden handcuffs"—the lifestyle, food, and convenience are so good that it's hard to leave, even despite the pollution and traffic. Many describe a "love-hate" relationship with the city's chaos. There is a strong consensus on Reddit: "Earn in USD/Euro, spend in THB" is the ultimate cheat code, while working for local Thai wages is viewed as a difficult path with less savings potential.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Tax Rate

Top 7%

#9

of 124 cities

15%

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Top 17%

#21

of 124 cities

13 events on luma

Current value

Cost of Living

Top 19%

#24

of 124 cities

31/100

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Bangkok compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$4,433 / m²
56% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Bangkok to maintain the same standard of living.

$

Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
65% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Bangkok

Coda Payments logo
Coda Payments
Agoda logo
Agoda
Opn logo
Opn

The Good

  • High Purchasing Power: Senior expat salaries or remote wages provide a luxury lifestyle (condos with pools/gyms, daily dining out) that is hard to replicate in the West.
  • Vibrant Social & Food Scene: World-class street food, endless nightlife, and a bustling expat community make it an exciting place to live.
  • Travel Hub: Ideally located for cheap and quick weekend trips to tropical islands or other Southeast Asian countries.
  • Top-Tier Tech Hubs: Companies like Agoda are frequently cited as paying Western-competitive rates with international work cultures.
  • Convenience: 24/7 culture with delivery apps (Grab, Foodpanda) and convenience stores making daily life extremely easy.

The Bad

  • Severe Pollution: The PM2.5 air quality is a major health concern, especially during the annual "burning season" (roughly Jan-Apr).
  • Oppressive Heat: High humidity and temperatures year-round can be draining and limit outdoor activities during the day.
  • Traffic Congestion: Notorious gridlock makes commuting a nightmare; living near the BTS (Skytrain) or MRT is practically mandatory.
  • Work Culture Clash: Local Thai companies often follow a hierarchical "Kreng Jai" (saving face) culture, which can be frustrating for engineers used to direct feedback.
  • Low Junior Salaries: Entry-level and mid-level pay at local firms is very low compared to global standards, making it hard for juniors to save money.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Senior Software Engineers or Tech Leads who can secure roles at top international companies (paying 100k-150k+ THB/month) will thrive here. It is also perfect for Digital Nomads with US/EU salaries who want to maximize their quality of life. People who love big city energy, street food, and don't mind chaos will fall in love with Bangkok.

Skip it if...

Junior Developers (0-3 years experience) should likely avoid moving unless they have a unique offer, as local competition is fierce and pay is low (often <50k THB). Individuals with respiratory issues (asthma) or those who are highly sensitive to heat and humidity will struggle. Professionals who strictly prefer flat hierarchies and blunt, direct communication may find local work culture frustrating.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather1.5/10-83% vs San Francisco
Safety62+57%
Pollution78+58%
Events13-75%
1.5/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
33°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
25°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
2,624h/yr-438h/yr(-14%)
Hottest Month High
35°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
22°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
116/yr+68/yr(+139%)

Community & Quality

Bangkok community pulse

Bangkok has 13 Luma events listed.

75% fewer events than San Francisco.

Safety Index

Middle of the pack

#49

of 124 cities

61.7/100

Current value

Purchasing Power

Middle of the pack

#77

of 124 cities

Home Affordability

Bottom 29%

#89

of 124 cities

≈12.2 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Net Income

Bottom 24%

#96

of 124 cities

$28,990/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 12%

#110

of 124 cities

77.7/100

Current value (lower is better)

Comfortable Weather

Bottom 11%

#111

of 124 cities

15/100 weather score

Current value

SWE Affordability
12.2 years
7.6 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
332/yr+332/yr(+165900%)
Cloud Cover
72%(vs 34% in San Francisco)