Housing Cost Options in SE Asia – Daily vs Monthly [FULL RANGE]

Housing
By Gems Of Travel
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This post will give you a solid starting point for what to expect daily and monthly rentals in Southeast Asia.

There is a lot to options choose from.  You can live as cheaply or expensive as you wish.  This may or may not mean that you sacrifice quality.

Daily Price  (daily room price in Southeast Asia)

Hostel Dorm Room (a bed within a shared room)

Cheapestnot common$1per night
Middle Price Rangevery common$4-7per night
Most Expensivecommon$7-15per night
A private bed contain within it's own walled pod in a dorm room at a hostel in Southeast Asia. The pod is the exact width of a twin mattress. It's entrance has a curtain. Inside is a mattress, pillow, sheets, and a fold-out table that is built into the wall.
Guests socializing in a hostel common area in Bali, Indonesia. Some are sitting around drinking Bintang beer.

CONs

  • Hostels are expensive per day compared to renting per month.
  • Theft (potentially).
  • Shared bathroom and room facilities

PROs

  • Flexible while on the go : Good for moving around frequently  (Choose you length-of-stay)
  • Locker for Security : A place to leave (and lock-up) your belongings, using it as a place just to crash.
  • A social environment.
  • Amenities such as a pool

Hotel (private room)

Cheapestcommon, lower end -to- higher end$6-8per night
Middle Price Rangevery common$10-12per night
Expensivehigher end$15-25per night
Most Expensivewestern higher end$35 +per night

Monthly Price  (overall costs for monthly rentals in Southeast Asia)

Note

Below pricing is for 1 month to less than 6 month stays.  Prices, usually, are lower for 6 month and 1 year rentals.

*See pricing disclaimers, below.

Utility costs will be paid by you.  Our post on Total Rent Cost w/ Prices
has detailed info on utility usage and all rentals costs.

Tip

Find monthly rentals online and/or offline – our posts are sure to help you (see links)!

(1) Get a good sense of pricing & options by reviewing online marketplace listings for each country.  Get the best quality and price – you deserve it.  That way, when you enquire directly with a landlord (prices are not listed, they are discussed) you have a sense of what the correct, fair, price is.  Many landlords are honest, though.  However, you should know what is available to you for the price when making a housing decision.

(2) Negotiate.  Be sure to negotiate!  Prices and furnishings are discussed, they are not set in stone.  Voice your issues, politely, and point out the barriers to your renting there.  The landlord will make concessions – lowering the price or providing things to make your stay comfortable.  It is about working together to make a deal.

Hotel (private room)

You can negotiate a monthly price with the hotel, sometimes.  Mansion hotels in Thailand always have monthly rates available.  Busy hotels make a lot more money on daily customers compared to monthly, so they will be less interested in gaining monthly customers, or they will charge a high price relative to the local market costs.

Hotel room may not have a meter (Mansions usually do), so the price would be inclusive of water and electric if they do not have a meter to measure your usage.  The downside is that they will charge you the highest ammount (over $100 for electric per month), and assume that you will use AC a lot.  However, you can negotiate by letting them hold onto the AC remote control and inform them that you will accept only using an air fan.

A fully furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia. The image shows a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a small table, split-duct airconditioning unit, and the bathroom door in the background. Decoration includes a 3 foot tall plant, an abstract picture in frame, and recessed lighting behind the bed.
The kitchen area of a fully furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia. The image shows a toaster microwave, refrigerator, hot water kettle, stove and ventilation, and storage drawers with utensiles and pots & pans inside.
The bathroom of a fully furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia. The image shows a "wet bathroom", which is the style in Southeast Asia in which there is no divider between the shower and sink & toilet. The flooring is tile, and water from the shower can splash anywhere within the bathroom.
A furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia without a kitchen. The image shows a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a window with draperies, a table, refrigerator, television, nightstand, and trashcan. The tenant has belongins laying on the bed, nightstand, and floor.
A furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia without a kitchen. The image shows a split-duct airconditioning unit, bathroom entrance, a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a window with draperies, a table, refrigerator, television, nightstand, and trashcan. The tenant has belongins laying on the bed, nightstand, and floor.
The wardrobe storage area that is building into the wall near the door entrance. This is within a furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia without a kitchen.
The bathroom of a furnished hotel room in Southeast Asia without a kitchen. It has a partial divider between the shower and toilet & sink area. A "wet bathroom" is the most common style in Southeast Asia in which there is no divider between the shower and sink & toilet. The flooring is tile, and water from the shower can splash anywhere within the bathroom.

Studio Room

Price is including water, electric (no AC), and cleaning fee at move-out.

Add:
(1) $10 for refrigerator usage; for AC usage
(2) $15 (light use)
(3) $40-50 (moderate use) (most common), or $100-150 (heavy usage).

Studio rooms come with private bathroom.  But in Vietnam and maybe Malaysia, you will have a shared bathroom due to housing style cultural differences.

Cheapestvery common$50-60per month
Averagevery common$85 – $100per month
Most Expensivevery common$200per month

Tip

Do try to push your comfort zone and rent the lower-priced housing for a month.

These rentals can be very good, and the price very low.  Also, you will gain insight when living in a local area, too.

At minimum, go to see a few in person as part of the experience seeing your options.  Southeast Asia is very safe.  The main issue is cultural things like crowing roosters that should deter you.

A fully furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a small round table, a wardrobe, shelf, table mounted to the wall, chairs, small kitchen & refigerator, and the bathroom door in the background. Not shown is the split-duct airconditioning unit. There is a window with curtains next to the bed.
A fully furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the front door that is mostly a window with opaque film on it. Also shown a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a small round table with chair, table mounted to the wall with a chair, ceiling lighting, and the split-duct airconditioning unit. There is a window with curtains next to the bed.
The bathroom of a fully furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows a "wet bathroom", which is the style in Southeast Asia in which there is no divider between the shower and sink & toilet. The flooring is tile, and water from the shower can splash anywhere within the bathroom.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image is at the entrance of the room with the bathroom the the right, a queen-sized bed with all sheets, windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony, another window to the left, and a small table with a chair. Not shown is the split-duct airconditioning unit.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows a queen-sized bed with all sheets, and the large windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image is at the entrance of the room getting a view of the left-hand side of the room that has a small refrigerator, a small television, a small table and a chair. On the back-side wall, there is a window near the chair, and large windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony. Not shown is the split-duct airconditioning unit.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the right-hand side wall of the room. This includes a queen-sized bed with all sheets, a floor fan to cool down, a split duct airconditioning unit, and nightstand. To the left - the back-side of the room- are large windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the left-hand side wall of the room. This includes the edge of the bed. Along the wall is a small refrigerator, two small tables, a chair, a small television, and a window. The wall paint is peeling off a bit.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the back side wall of the room. A window to the left, and to the right are large windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony. The tenant has a setup in the middle of the room with a laptop on the small table, and a chair pulled up next to it facing outside, looking out the large windows.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the back side wall of the room. A window to the left, and to the right are large windows with curtains and a glass door opening to a balcony. The tenant has a setup in the middle of the room with a laptop on the small table, and a chair pulled up next to it facing outside, looking out the large windows.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows a close-up of the bed, portable floor air fan, and a split-duct airconditioning unit.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The space is tight, but it is very well laid out and cozy. The image shows a bed with sheets, a small table pulled next to the bed with coffee on it, a split-duct airconditioning unit above the bed, a large wardrobe along one wall with extra shelving at it's side, and a full-sized mirror. Next is the front door, which is fully see-through glass, but has two sets of curtains - one that lets light in with some visibility, and another to block all light. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows a bed with sheets, the front door, a wardrobe along one wall, a chair and desk along the wall. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows how the tenant has a table with laptop on it and chair faced looking outside a window. The split-duct airconditioning unit is above the bathroom door. There is a muslim prayer mat, which is fitting due to the location being Indonesia. The image also shows the edge of the bed with sheets. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows how the tenant has a table with laptop on it and chair faced looking outside a window. The table is at the end of a queen size bed. On the other side of a bed is a window with opaque film on it making it impossible to see outside. The split-duct airconditioning unit is above the window. The image also shows an electrical meter, which is used to measure each the tenants electricity usage and calculate monthly electric fee based on it.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows how the tenant has a table with laptop on it and chair faced looking outside a window. The table is along the wall in front of the window. to the side of the desk is a small and wardrobe storage. To the other side is an airfan. The split-duct airconditioning unit is above the window. The image also shows the edge fo a twin-sized bed.
A furnished studio room rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The image shows the front door, a storage wardrobe, a small desk with mirror and chair, and an entertainment center with storage, but nothing on it. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.

1 bedroom

Price is including water, electric (no AC), and cleaning fee at move-out.

Add:
(1) $10 for refrigerator usage; for AC usage
(2) $15 (light use)
(3) $40-50 (moderate use) (most common), or $100-150 (heavy usage).

Cheapestvery common$225-250per month
Middle Price Rangevery common$350per month
Most Expensivehigher end$500 and aboveper month
A furnished one bedroom apartment that is rented monthly in Southeast Asia. This image is of the family room eqiupped with a small leather couch, small coffee table, and a window along the wall to the side. In front of the window is a desk with a chair with a laptop and coffee mug on it. A split-duct airconditioning unit above the window. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.
An image showing a television on an entertainment center located in the family room of a furnished one bedroom apartment that is rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The floor is tile, which is very common in Southeast Asia.
An image showing part of the kitchen in a furnished one bedroom apartment that is rented monthly in Southeast Asia. The kitchen is it's own, separate, room. In this kitchen area few things furnished by the apartment complex including a water boiling kettle, cups, a tray, and a hair dryer.

2 bedroom

N/A – GemsOfTravel has no experience on this.

However, we have seen nice ones for $400 in central Phnom Penh and Vientiane with fully equipped kitchens, and $300 very large rentals with minimal furnishings.

House

Price is including water, electric (no AC), and cleaning fee at move-out.

Add:
(1) $10 for refrigerator usage; for AC usage
(2) $15 (light use)
(3) $40-50 (moderate use) (most common), or $100-150 (heavy usage).

Yes, you can rent a whole house!

You’ll get more ✅privacy, ✅your own car/motorbike port, ✅a lot more space, and ✅yard space.

These are typically for 6 month -to- 1 year leases.

Yes, you can get a whole house for the same price as a 1 bedroom apartment!

Very Commonvery common$225-250per month
Higher Endvery common$350 – $500 and aboveper month
Luxury Villahigher end$900- 1,500per month
A small modern house in Southeast Asia, representative of a common home building style. It is made of concrete, has a covered front porch, and a gravel driveway.
A traditional wooden house in Southeast Asia. The home is a stilt house, meaning it is elevated off of the ground. However, the bottom section, which traditionally is just for storage, has been converted to a living space. The bottom has had walls constructed using brick and concrete. The front porch on the traditional upper half has a covering and wooden stairs to go outside.
A modern concrete four story home in Southeast Asia. The ground floor has a gate and a small area for parking. The front door is not far from the street. The remaining floors each have a full-sized balcony with doors and windows. There is also a rooftop with some plants, but not covering for rain and sunlight.
A modern concrete four story home in Southeast Asia with a small grass lawn and various plants. This home is located on a small corner lot. The second and third floors each have a balcony with doors and windows. The fourth floor is half inside, and half a rooftop without covering for rain and sunlight.
A traditional wooden house in Southeast Asia. The home is a stilt house, meaning it is elevated off of the ground. However, the bottom section, which traditionally is just for storage, has been converted to a living space. The bottom has had walls constructed using brick and concrete. A front door was also added to the bottom converted half. The gravel makes up the entire driveway and front lawn area.

Warning

*DISCLAIMERS*

NOTE:  Do not let these ~disclaimers~ deter you – they may be in your budget, or you may find a great deal!

#1:  Areas that cater to western foreigners as a majority of their business will be more expensive, thus more expensive housing.

#2:  Very central & popular areas will be more expensive.

Areas include:

-> Malaysia: central Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown area in central Penang Island

-> Singapore: everywhere

-> Indonesia: central Jakarta, Bali (i.e. the island of Bali, a.k.a Denpasar)

-> Thailand: central Bangkok (i.e. “Sukhumvit road in close proximity to Pier 41 and Central Mall), Phuket, The Islands: assume all of them are more expensive due to popularity

-> Vietnam: central Hanoi, central HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City, a.k.a Saigon)

-> Cambodia: The above pricing mostly applies

-> Laos: central Vientiane, which has a small downtown with mostly tourists or Chinese commercial development.  Outside the downtown area may be better deals.

-> Philippines: central Manilla, *currently researching other areas – will report soon!

Suplementary Details

There is a huge range of options and comfort levels (luxury to simplicity) for all budgets levels.  Literally, all budgets levels (rentals for $35 a month to $1,500 or more).

Cost & quality ranges.  They vary wildly depending on:

– Country : The country, the city, and it’s individual housing market.

– Location : Central location or outskirts

– Extras : Facilities and amenities such as a gym, pool, weekly cleaning.

– Season (weather) & Tourist Season (# of tourists) : The tourist season – low season (less tourists) can have cheaper prices — high season (busy tourism season) can have increased prices.  Note that living away from the places that cater primarily to tourists will have stable pricing, not lower or increased pricing base on the tourist season.

Real estate, like everywhere in the world, is priced by how much you are willing to pay.  Shop around and negotiate, because why pay more when you can, actually, get more for less.

Do not discount (pun intended) the lower priced housing – they can be surprisingly very good.

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