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High-rise buildings beside the lake at Benjakitti Park, Khlong Toei Photo above: Sittichai Srisanguansakul via Google
How much is rent in Bangkok? For a good-quality apartment in the city center, the benchmark is about THB 581 per square meter per month: that was the average asking rent for Grade A apartments in downtown Bangkok in the second quarter of 2026, according to CBRE Research. At that rate a 35-square-meter studio works out at roughly 20,000 baht a month and a 60-square-meter one-bedroom at roughly 35,000 baht. Serviced apartments cost much more, averaging THB 1,358 per square meter.
Those figures describe the top of the market in the central districts. Older buildings, condos let by individual owners and neighborhoods farther out along the rail lines generally rent for less, and no official source publishes a citywide average. This guide sets out the published numbers, what they mean for common apartment sizes, and the factors that push any Bangkok rent up or down. It is about renting; for buying, see our guide to how much a condo costs in Bangkok.
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How much is rent in Bangkok in 2026?
CBRE Research's figures for the second quarter of 2026 put the average asking rent for Grade A apartments in downtown Bangkok at THB 581 per square meter per month, down 0.5% on the previous quarter. Grade A serviced apartments averaged THB 1,358 per square meter, up 4.9% year on year. Central Lumpini and Siam recorded the highest rents in both categories.
The same report shows a tight market for landlords to work with. Downtown apartment occupancy averaged 94%, across a supply of 8,671 units, 86% of them in the Sukhumvit area. Serviced apartments, with 17,355 units downtown, averaged 82.6% occupancy. In a market that full, well-located units near a station rarely sit empty for long, which is why good apartments are seldom discounted.
What does that mean for a studio, one-bedroom or family apartment?
Multiplying CBRE's averages by floor area gives a rough monthly rent for a Grade A unit in the center. These are our calculations, not quoted prices, and a real listing can sit well above or below them depending on the building, the floor and the furniture.
| Unit size (typical layout) | Grade A apartment at THB 581 per sq m | Grade A serviced apartment at THB 1,358 per sq m |
|---|---|---|
| 35 sq m (studio) | about 20,300 baht a month | about 47,500 baht a month |
| 60 sq m (one bedroom) | about 34,900 baht a month | about 81,500 baht a month |
| 100 sq m (two bedrooms) | about 58,100 baht a month | about 135,800 baht a month |
| 150 sq m (three bedrooms) | about 87,200 baht a month | about 203,700 baht a month |
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Source: CBRE Research, Bangkok Overall Figures Q2 2026; monthly totals are our arithmetic, rounded.
Which areas of Bangkok are the most expensive to rent?
The most expensive rents are in the central business and shopping districts: Central Lumpini and Siam, which CBRE ranks highest, then the Sukhumvit corridor (Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, Ekkamai), Silom and Sathorn. Rents generally ease farther out along the rail lines and across the river in Thonburi.
These central areas combine offices, international schools, malls and the densest rail network, which is why both local professionals and foreign residents compete for them. Our guides to where Sukhumvit is and where Silom is explain the two most popular districts with newcomers. Farther north, neighborhoods around Ari and the Chatuchak Weekend Market offer big parks and a quieter pace; weigh any saving against the extra travel time to wherever you will go most often.
Does living near the BTS or MRT cost more?
Yes, usually. In a city with heavy road traffic, a short walk to a BTS Skytrain or MRT station is worth real money, and many listings advertise the distance in meters. Two similar condos can be priced quite differently if one sits at the station and the other needs a motorbike taxi or a long walk in the heat.
Check the official route maps for the BTS Skytrain and the MRT to see which lines serve an area, and time the walk yourself before you sign, because advertised distances are not always accurate. Our explainer on what the BTS is covers how the Skytrain lines fit together.
Condo, apartment or serviced apartment: which costs more?
Serviced apartments cost the most per square meter, more than double Grade A apartments on CBRE's Q2 2026 averages, because cleaning, furnishing and often utilities are included. Apartment buildings run by a single landlord and condominium units let by individual owners sit below them, with price set mainly by the building's age, location and condition.
- Condominium units are rented from individual owners, so the furniture, terms and responsiveness vary from unit to unit, even within one building.
- Apartment buildings are owned and managed by one landlord, with standard terms across all units.
- Serviced apartments bundle in housekeeping and furnishings; they suit shorter stays and people relocating for work.
- Townhouses and houses give more space and are more common away from the rail lines.
Within any building, rent rises with floor area, a higher floor and an open view. Towers beside big parks such as Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park often promote those views in their listings.
What other costs come with a Bangkok lease?
Beyond the monthly rent, budget for a security deposit and rent paid in advance, electricity and water, internet, and any parking or cleaning charges. Some buildings bill electricity and water at their own rate rather than the state utility's, so ask how each is charged before you sign, and get the answers written into the lease.
- How big is the deposit, how much rent is due in advance, and when is the deposit returned?
- Are electricity and water billed at the utility's tariff or a building rate?
- Is internet included, or do you set up your own line?
- Who pays the building's common-area fee?
- What notice is needed to leave early, and what happens to the deposit if you do?
Photograph the unit's condition on move-in day. For the full monthly picture, including food, transport and insurance, see how much it costs to live in Bangkok.
Where should I stay while I look for an apartment?
A hotel or serviced apartment for the first few weeks lets you test the commute from two or three neighborhoods before you commit to a one-year lease. Choose a base on the rail line you expect to use most, then view apartments at the times of day you would actually travel.
Our guide to where to stay in Bangkok compares the main areas, and our Bangkok hotels are sorted by neighborhood. If you are planning a longer move, how to move to Bangkok covers visas and paperwork.
Sources: CBRE Research, Bangkok Overall Figures Q2 2026, BTS Skytrain, Bangkok Expressway and Metro: MRT system map. Checked September 26, 2026.
For a Grade A apartment in downtown Bangkok, CBRE Research put the average asking rent at THB 581 per square meter per month in Q2 2026, or roughly 20,000 baht for a 35-square-meter studio and 35,000 baht for 60 square meters. Older buildings and outer areas generally cost less.
Grade A serviced apartments averaged THB 1,358 per square meter per month in Q2 2026, according to CBRE, up 4.9% year on year. That is roughly 47,500 baht a month for 35 square meters, by our calculation.
Central Lumpini and Siam recorded the highest average rents for both Grade A apartments and serviced apartments in CBRE's Q2 2026 figures. Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn are also among the most expensive districts.
Generally, yes. Units a long walk or a motorbike-taxi ride from a station often rent for less than similar units next to one; the trade-off is travel time in Bangkok's traffic.
Most rentals marketed to foreigners, especially condominium units, come furnished. Quality varies from one owner to the next, even in the same building, so inspect the unit before you sign.
Landlords typically prefer one-year contracts. Shorter leases may be available at a higher monthly rent; for stays of weeks rather than months, a serviced apartment or hotel is often simpler.
Check the deposit and advance rent, how electricity and water are billed, and what internet, common-area fees and parking cost. Ask about the notice period and deposit terms if you leave early, and get everything in writing.