🇹🇭 Thailand vs 🇦🇺 Australia

Why Property Value Is Driving Aussie Retirees North

One of the biggest reasons more Australians are retiring to Thailand comes down to a simple number:

Price per square metre.

When you compare modern apartments (condos) in Thailand to Australia, the difference is stark — and it directly affects how far your retirement savings can stretch.

Let’s look at the numbers in Australian dollars.

📐 Condo Prices per Square Metre (AUD)

Country averages – city locations

• Thailand: around $5,900 per m²
• Australia: around $10,700 per m²

That means Australian apartments are roughly 80% more expensive than comparable condos in Thailand.

🏙️ Real-World City Comparison

For retirees, city and lifestyle hubs are more relevant than country averages.

• Bangkok condos: approx $9,600 per m²
• Sydney apartments: approx $19,000 per m²

In simple terms:

👉 Sydney apartments cost about double per square metre compared to Bangkok condos.

💡 What This Means in Real Life

A $950,000 apartment in Sydney might give you:

• Around 50 square metres
• High strata fees
• Limited amenities

That same money in Thailand can often buy:

• A larger, modern condo
• Resort-style facilities (pools, gyms, security)
• Lower ongoing living costs
• A lifestyle designed for year-round living

This isn’t about “cheap living”.

It’s about value — and making retirement money work harder instead of fighting rising Australian costs.

🧠 Why Retirees Are Rethinking Location

Australia hasn’t become unlivable — it’s just become expensive.

Thailand, by contrast, offers:

• Strong infrastructure
• Modern healthcare
• Established expat communities
• And property pricing that still aligns with retirement realities

That’s why more Australians are asking a different question now:

“Where does my money give me the best quality of life?”

And increasingly, the answer is Thailand.