Shibuzi vs Ko Pha Ngan
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Shibuzi is approximately 74% less expensive than Ko Pha Ngan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Shibuzi a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Shibuzi has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 55, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Shibuzi is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Shibuzi
Thailand
Ko Pha Ngan
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is a small island play that only makes sense if you can work remotely and earn well above the local average monthly net salary of $720/mo, because a single adult's non-rent costs run about $650/mo and a one-bedroom in the center asks $609/mo. The upside is real: utilities at $57/mo, internet at $17/mo, a $4 restaurant meal, and an 86/100 overall expat score with an 88/100 FIRE score. The catch is that heavy rain from October to December and a retiree score of 73/100 mean this is a digital nomad and early-retirement pick, not a year-round paradise for everyone.
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.
Ko Pha Ngan costs roughly 25% less than Shibuzi. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Shibuzi is approximately 74% less expensive than Ko Pha Ngan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Shibuzi a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Shibuzi has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 55, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Shibuzi is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Shibuzi
Shibuzi is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom city centre apartment at $350/mo and a single adult budget tier of $800/mo, but the air quality index of 78 and safety index of 55 mean you are trading comfort for cost. The FIRE score of 81/100 is the standout number here, while the digital nomad score of 57/100 and limited English proficiency should give remote workers pause. With a population of 841 thousand and a continental climate, this is a small, insular city, not a cosmopolitan hub. Come for the low rent, stay only if you can handle the air and the language barrier.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$1,500/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is a small island play that only makes sense if you can work remotely and earn well above the local average monthly net salary of $720/mo, because a single adult's non-rent costs run about $650/mo and a one-bedroom in the center asks $609/mo. The upside is real: utilities at $57/mo, internet at $17/mo, a $4 restaurant meal, and an 86/100 overall expat score with an 88/100 FIRE score. The catch is that heavy rain from October to December and a retiree score of 73/100 mean this is a digital nomad and early-retirement pick, not a year-round paradise for everyone.
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.
$1,684/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Shibuzi | Ko Pha Ngan |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $350 | $609.02 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $250 | $631.3 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $700 | $1856.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $500 | $1762.7 |
| Safety Index | 55 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 30Mbps | 50.3Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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