Koh Samui vs Krabi
📶
Krabi has 2x faster internet
🛂
Thailand offers a digital nomad visa
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Koh Samui
Krabi
Total Budget
$1,400/mo
$1,200/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$450/mo ✓
$600/mo
Coworking
$190/mo
$180/mo ✓
Meal Out
$2 ✓
$3
Coffee
$3
$2.5 ✓
Krabi is $200/mo cheaper (17% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇹🇭 Koh Samui
📶 Internet80 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🇹🇭 Krabi
📶 Internet150 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaNot available
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Koh Samui
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp25°C
Rainy Days218/year
Best months: February, March, April
Krabi
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp27°C
Rainy Days246/year
Best months: February, January, March
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
24°27°
Apr
27°28°
Jul
26°28°
Oct
25°27°
Koh SamuiKrabi
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇹🇭Koh Samui
🇹🇭Krabi
💰
Monthly Budget
$1,400
$1,200
Winner📶
Internet Speed
80 Mbps
150 Mbps
Winner🛡️
Safety
3.8/5
3.8/5
⭐
Nomad Score
4.1/10
4/10
🍽️
Food Scene
8/10
8/10
🎉
Nightlife
7/10
7/10
🚶
Walkability
3/10
6/10
Winner👥
Community
medium
medium
0
Koh Samui wins
vs
3
Krabi wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Krabi
$200/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Krabi
150 Mbps is essential for video calls & uploads
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Either works
Both cities are similarly safe
🍜Foodie
Either works
Both have great food scenes
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇹🇭Koh Samui
Pros
- +Beautiful tropical beaches crystal-clear waters year-round
- +More affordable than Phuket with similar island lifestyle
- +Reliable fiber internet across most areas
- +DTV visa available for long-term stays up to 5 years
Cons
- −Taxi mafia makes transport expensive without scooter
- −Smaller nomad community compared to Chiang Mai or Bali
- −Rainy season October-November can be intense
- −Limited walkability between areas need transport
🇹🇭Krabi
Pros
- +Lower cost of living than major Western cities while still offering good infrastructure
- +Access to spectacular beaches, limestone cliffs and islands within short boat rides
- +Warm tropical climate with excellent winter weather and plenty of sunshine
- +Fast national internet backbone with decent fibre and strong 4G/5G coverage in town
Cons
- −Spread-out geography means you often need a scooter, tuk-tuk or taxi rather than walking everywhere
- −Rainy season from May to October can bring frequent showers and occasional storms
- −Area is highly tourist-oriented, so some parts feel crowded and prices rise in high season
- −Limited big-city cultural offerings compared with Bangkok or Chiang Mai