Cost of Living in Chiang Rai - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Chiang Rai
Address: Chiang Rai, TH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $544 (excluding rent), and $841 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,072 (excluding rent), and $1,762 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ฿65.4

$1.42 ฿45.45

$3.77 ฿121

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$15.3 ฿491

$42.85 ฿1,374

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.29 ฿202

$5.66 ฿181

$9.44 ฿303

Cappuccino

$1.49 ฿47.7

$1.11 ฿35.53

$3.8 ฿122

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.57 ฿18.18

$0.44 ฿14.18

$1.18 ฿37.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 ฿8.97

$0.21 ฿6.8

$0.6 ฿19.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.89 ฿60.7

$1.11 ฿35.45

$3.79 ฿121

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 ฿119

$3.1 ฿99.3

$9.29 ฿298

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 ฿54.3

$0.93 ฿29.73

$3.11 ฿99.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 ฿50.6

$0.76 ฿24.5

$3.06 ฿98

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 ฿36.73

$0.67 ฿21.35

$1.51 ฿48.35

Eggs

$1.97 ฿63.3

$1.51 ฿48.5

$2.65 ฿84.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.99 ฿513

$9.26 ฿297

$77.2 ฿2,475

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿98.4

$1.84 ฿59.1

$6.13 ฿197

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.1 ฿356

$3.75 ฿120

$24.96 ฿800

Apples (1kg)

$2.65 ฿85.1

$0.79 ฿25.4

$5.59 ฿179

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ฿32.68

$0.76 ฿24.43

$1.52 ฿48.86

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿52.6

$0.9 ฿28.98

$3.03 ฿97

Tomato (1kg)

$0.93 ฿29.83

$0.31 ฿10.05

$2.75 ฿88.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.34 ฿42.84

$0.9 ฿28.98

$2.42 ฿77.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.14 ฿36.64

$0.63 ฿20.1

$1.56 ฿49.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.61

$0.3 ฿9.71

$1.2 ฿38.53

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ฿16.76

$0.36 ฿11.49

$1.43 ฿45.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.64 ฿117

$2.73 ฿87.5

$5.16 ฿165

Wine (Bottle)

$16.35 ฿524

$9.34 ฿300

$24.91 ฿799

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 ฿56.7

$1.2 ฿38.56

$2.4 ฿77.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 ฿107

$1.9 ฿60.8

$6.31 ฿202

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.75 ฿24.04

$0.6 ฿19.35

$0.9 ฿28.72

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.36 ฿749

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ฿45.54

$1.26 ฿40.3

$3.15 ฿101

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.3 ฿41.57

$1.15 ฿36.85

$2.01 ฿64.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.11 ฿260

$3.12 ฿100

$12.47 ฿400

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ฿41.38

$1.11 ฿35.47

$1.58 ฿50.6

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$20.1K ฿643.3K

$22.8K ฿731.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.3K ฿715.2K

$17.4K ฿557.6K

$34.2K ฿1.1M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$49.25 ฿1,579

$36.75 ฿1,178

$130 ฿4,174

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.12 ฿453

$6.24 ฿200

$21.85 ฿701

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.69 ฿503

$12.55 ฿402

$31.37 ฿1,006

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.91 ฿1,601

$29.64 ฿950

$62.4 ฿2,001

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.05 ฿386

$3.95 ฿127

$12.05 ฿386

Cinema Ticket

$3.63 ฿117

$3.03 ฿97

$7.87 ฿252

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$302 ฿9,681

$91.6 ฿2,937

$712 ฿22.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,701 ฿247K

$15K ฿480.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.9 ฿1,761

$45.76 ฿1,468

$122 ฿3,914

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.48 ฿849

$10.8 ฿346

$61.7 ฿1,979

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 ฿2,344

$68.4 ฿2,194

$93.3 ฿2,992

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71 ฿2,278

$37.05 ฿1,188

$108 ฿3,466

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$267 ฿8,556

$215 ฿6,911

$308 ฿9,872

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 ฿8,166

$152 ฿4,875

$486 ฿15.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$754 ฿24.2K

$428 ฿13.7K

$1,223 ฿39.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$494 ฿15.8K

$185 ฿5,944

$927 ฿29.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,962 ฿62.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$992 ฿31.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$475 ฿15.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 24, 2025

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Cost of Living in Chiang Rai - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Chiang Rai, Thailand tends to be lower than in bigger Thai cities, making it appealing to travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value a slower pace without sacrificing access to amenities. Daily meals from street stalls and casual eateries stay pleasantly affordable, and rents for modest apartments or shared housing are typically reasonable – especially outside the main tourist pockets. You’ll find simple transport options that don’t drain your budget, from songthaews to scooter hire. With a proactive approach – home cooking, market visits, and combining work trips with weekend explorations – you can stretch your money while enjoying a rich local lifestyle. Tip: Track your weekly spend and test one new neighborhood each month to find the best balance of value and vibe.

Daily life here blends affordability with a rich local flavor. Housing options include compact studios, shared apartments, or guesthouse rooms clustered around the old city and along the river, workable for short stays or longer house hunts. Food is diverse and budget-friendly, from bustling night markets to casual cafes with reliable wifi. Transport is practical: scooters for freedom, and songthaews for inexpensive short trips. Co-working spaces and cafe hubs support remote work, with flexible passes and strong local networks. Chiang Rai, Thailand living cost varies by neighborhood, season, and your lifestyle. Tip: map a few core errands to reduce trips and save time and energy.

A practical budgeting framework emphasizes essentials, flexible spending, and savings. Start with a simple three-pile plan: cover housing and utilities first, allocate for food and transport next, and reserve a buffer for experiences and unexpected costs. Seasonality matters: the dry season can draw more visitors and push demand in core areas, while the rainy months may shift routines and pricing. Test different neighborhoods – the bustling center, riverside pockets, or quieter residential streets – at various times of day to find your best fit. Tip: set aside time each month to re-evaluate priorities, compare rent options, and negotiate longer leases when possible.