Cost Comparisons - USA & Thailand

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Just recently, Johnny made a trip back to his previous home in San Francisco in the USA. Some of the comparisons he made are shown below

by Johnnie

I actually live quite a "locals" lifestyle and am quite comfortable in Thailand. However, I have not gone as native as some who have chosen to live "upcountry." Many long-term expatriates looses touch with the cost of things "back home." I know I certainly do so this just provides some perspective on the cost back in farangland for those who are interested.

I am currently back home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I thought to add to the running debate on the rising cost of living in LOS and how this compares with "back home," I would post about some of the prices I pay for things here to what they cost me when I am living in Thailand.

For some background: When I first came to Thailand about a decade ago, everything seemed very inexpensive compared to the constantly rising prices Stateside. This was especially so for food and restaurants. I guess with the $ averaging around B 40 in those days it was. However, in recent years, for a variety of reasons, prices of groceries and restaurants have gone way up. The general price level for everything else the expatriate buys has gone up as well.

On my travels back home now, prices no longer seem expensive compared to Thailand. An in some cases, sttarting to seem quite reasonable (with the exception of a few outlier costs). I am concluding more and more that at least for someone with income in Western currencies (especially dollars) living in LOS (and most of the rest of Asia too) is not the great bargain it once was.

For the comparisons, I have used a 32:1 dollar to baht rate. It's actually a bit lower (but too painful to think about so I am still in denial) so the Thai prices would actually be a little bit more expensive.

Food
One can eat extremely economically in LOS, with its profusion of street vendors, inexpensive and good shophouse restaurants. There are also local chains like MK and Fuji that have good Asian food and very reasonable cost. There are also many WEstern food and drink outlets like Starbucks and Au Bon Pain to choose from. Finally, there are the Western high-end independant restaurants and pubs like Dubliner, Cheesa, etc. and in Pattya we have Brunos, Mata Hari, Casa Pascal and others. Therefore, whatever one's budget, there is usually a clean, tasty, and good value meal to be found. This was one area that in the Bay Area used to seem really expensive compared to my trips to LOS. Now, it seems much more even. I don't know if this is because over the past decade business have become much more efficient and that the influx of millions of immigrants to California have kept labour costs in check but many restaurants and food here are cheaper than the same items in Thailand.

.. more cost comparisons between Thailand and San Francisco page 2