🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $82.4 in Abadan versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $104 in Abadan versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $126 in Abadan versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Living in Abadan costs roughly 90% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Abadan94% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.96฿64.0
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.81฿615
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.92฿259
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.91฿62.6
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.84฿27.41
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.35฿11.51
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21฿72.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.80฿124
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.64฿53.5
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.62฿53.1
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.18฿38.62
-
Eggs
-
$2.01฿65.8
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$15.89฿520
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.01฿98.5
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77฿352
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.61฿85.5
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.22฿39.88
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.70฿55.7
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.58฿51.5
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.32฿43.14
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.17฿38.23
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.67฿21.98
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.56฿18.32
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.53฿148
-
Wine(Bottle)
$41.04TMT 144
$18.20฿595
125.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83฿60.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.89฿29.00
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.38฿634
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.35฿44.20
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35฿44.05
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.25฿270
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.27฿41.64
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.2K฿691.8K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$22.5K฿735.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$70.2฿2,294
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.77฿450
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$17.60฿575
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$41.57฿1,360
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60฿216
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.78฿189
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$306฿10.0K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.8K฿484.8K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$54.4฿1,778
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.14฿855
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$84.5฿2,764
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$69.4฿2,270
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$424฿13.9K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$238฿7,788
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$825฿27.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$515฿16.8K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049฿67.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523฿49.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635฿20.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abadan: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abadan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Abadan?
Abadan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 934% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $124 in Abadan and $1,278 in Chiang Mai to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Abadan and Chiang Mai?
Supermarket bills run roughly 196% higher in Chiang Mai. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Abadan vs Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $82.4 per month in Abadan versus $852 in Chiang Mai – a 934% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Abadan or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Abadan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Abadan or Chiang Mai more family-friendly?
For families, Abadan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chiang Mai, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Abadan or Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Abadan and Chiang Mai are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Abadan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 934% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.