City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Edinburgh vs Bangkok — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Bangkok
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 33.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Bangkok.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Bangkok | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $732 | $725 | +$7 |
| Groceries | $249 | $409 | $160 |
| Dining Out | $191 | $93 | +$98 |
| Transportation | $66 | $45 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $152 | $120 | +$32 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $108 | +$2 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$1,500
per month
Bangkok equivalent
$1,239
per month
Only $1,239/mo in Bangkok matches $1,500/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$732 to rent, $249 to groceries, $191 to dining.
Can I live in Bangkok on $1,500/month?
In Bangkok, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $725 rent, $409 groceries, $93 dining.
Is Edinburgh or Bangkok cheaper?
Bangkok is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Bangkok 33.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Edinburgh worth in Bangkok?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$1,239/mo in Bangkok using COL adjustment.