๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,026 in Aberdeen, WA versus $872 in Chiang Mai.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,034 in Aberdeen, WA versus $1,337 in Chiang Mai.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,042 in Aberdeen, WA versus $1,802 in Chiang Mai.
๐Living in Aberdeen, WA is roughly 132% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Aberdeen, WA is 50% above, Chiang Mai is 35% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.04$21.04
$2.01เธฟ64.5
946.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101$101
$18.23เธฟ584
455.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.20$12.20
$7.65เธฟ245
59.48%
Cappuccino
$4.74$4.74
$1.92เธฟ61.5
146.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$0.84เธฟ26.97
110.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36$2.36
$0.36เธฟ11.42
555.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.11$6.11
$2.19เธฟ70.2
179.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86$4.86
$3.79เธฟ121
28.23%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13$1.13
$1.64เธฟ52.5
-31.10%
White Bread(500g)
$2.65$2.65
$1.62เธฟ52.0
63.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.77$2.77
$1.15เธฟ36.98
140.87%
Eggs
$5.10$5.10
$1.94เธฟ62.2
162.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.91$9.91
$15.94เธฟ511
-37.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.59$6.59
$3.10เธฟ99.5
112.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97$8.97
$11.07เธฟ355
-18.97%
Apples(1kg)
$4.99$4.99
$2.71เธฟ86.8
84.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90$1.90
$1.18เธฟ37.80
61.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.59$5.59
$1.71เธฟ54.7
226.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.11$6.11
$1.61เธฟ51.5
279.50%
Potato(1kg)
$2.76$2.76
$1.39เธฟ44.66
98.56%
Onion(1kg)
$3.43$3.43
$1.15เธฟ36.81
198.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.03$3.03
$0.71เธฟ22.83
326.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.79$1.79
$0.55เธฟ17.65
225.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.48$11.48
$4.57เธฟ146
151.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.98$10.98
$18.87เธฟ605
-41.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75$1.75
$1.82เธฟ58.4
-3.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62$2.62
$3.21เธฟ103
-18.38%
๐ Getting Around
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.02$1.02
$0.88เธฟ28.24
15.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$18.89เธฟ606
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.43$5.43
$1.41เธฟ45.30
285.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73$0.73
$1.30เธฟ41.71
-43.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.71$28.71
$8.20เธฟ263
250.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17$1.17
$1.23เธฟ39.29
-4.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K$30.1K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
42.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K$25.5K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
14.25%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$157$157
$69.9เธฟ2,240
124.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.0$53.0
$14.07เธฟ451
276.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.9$68.9
$17.70เธฟ567
289.49%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.62$31.62
$41.41เธฟ1,328
-23.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.69เธฟ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.88$4.88
$5.74เธฟ184
-14.98%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,039$1,039
$299เธฟ9,593
247.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.0K$30.0K
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
100.14%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.53$45.53
$54.8เธฟ1,758
-16.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.15$29.15
$26.35เธฟ845
10.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.2$64.2
$84.7เธฟ2,714
-24.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112$112
$69.7เธฟ2,236
60.87%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,097$1,097
$427เธฟ13.7K
156.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$884$884
$241เธฟ7,718
267.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,728$1,728
$811เธฟ26.0K
113.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,373$1,373
$498เธฟ16.0K
175.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,012$3,012
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
48.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,941$2,941
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
92.97%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Aberdeen, WA
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,378$4,378
$639เธฟ20.5K
584.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
5
30.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aberdeen, WA: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,097 in Aberdeen, WA and $427 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐAberdeen, WA pays 585% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $101 in Aberdeen, WA vs $18 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $333 vs $246 per month, with Chiang Mai cheaper across the board.
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
Aberdeen, WA vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Aberdeen, WA?
Chiang Mai is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 132% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Aberdeen, WA or Chiang Mai?
Aberdeen, WA pays 585% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Aberdeen, WA and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,097 in Aberdeen, WA versus $427 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $1,039 in Aberdeen, WA versus $299 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Aberdeen, WA or Chiang Mai?
Dining out is cheaper in Chiang Mai โ a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $101 in Aberdeen, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Aberdeen, WA or Chiang Mai?
At $872 in Chiang Mai versus $2,026 in Aberdeen, WA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Aberdeen, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Aberdeen, WA or Chiang Mai more family-friendly?
For families, Chiang Mai is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Aberdeen, WA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Aberdeen, WA or Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Aberdeen, WA 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 Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 132% less than in Aberdeen, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Aberdeen, WA vs other spots: cost of living compared