πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,076 in Agri versus $866 in Chiang Mai.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,689 in Agri versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,302 in Agri versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.
πLiving in Agri is roughly 24% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Agri20% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.51βΊ345
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
287.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.75βΊ1,367
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
59.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.58βΊ348
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-3.07%
Cappuccino
$2.93βΊ134
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
50.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30βΊ59.7
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
52.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47βΊ21.61
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
34.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56βΊ164
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
67.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92βΊ180
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
5.09%
π Groceries & Markets
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00βΊ45.78
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-41.52%
White Bread(500g)
$0.77βΊ35.39
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-52.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21βΊ101
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
93.86%
Eggs
$1.89βΊ86.7
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-2.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.47βΊ435
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-41.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.74βΊ264
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
83.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.10βΊ878
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
75.23%
Apples(1kg)
$1.29βΊ59.3
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-53.09%
Banana(1kg)
$2.10βΊ96.4
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
73.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05βΊ48.15
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-35.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.28βΊ58.6
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-19.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74βΊ33.99
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-47.14%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64βΊ29.62
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-45.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.93βΊ42.80
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
40.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52βΊ24.01
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
-1.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.20βΊ101
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-53.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.43βΊ433
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-49.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08βΊ95.7
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
15.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96βΊ136
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-8.36%
π Getting Around
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.68βΊ31.29
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-24.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.74βΊ1,412
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
60.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ48.33
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-25.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60βΊ27.73
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-53.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84βΊ360
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19βΊ54.7
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-6.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.3KβΊ2.0M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
103.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.3KβΊ2.0M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
99.30%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.5βΊ2,871
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
-9.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.88βΊ500
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-22.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.91βΊ593
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-28.28%
π Sport & Entertainment
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.13βΊ2,027
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
7.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.68βΊ261
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-4.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$606βΊ27.8K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
102.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,929βΊ410.3K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-40.28%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.0βΊ2,344
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
-6.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.33βΊ2,083
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
69.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104βΊ4,771
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
22.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.4βΊ4,060
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
25.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$511βΊ23.5K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
19.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$392βΊ18.0K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
65.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$885βΊ40.7K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
10.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719βΊ33.0K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
39.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,318βΊ60.6K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-33.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$919βΊ42.2K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
-37.68%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Agri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
5
636.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Agri: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $511 in Agri and $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $30.00 in Agri vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $227 vs $246, with Agri cheaper for home cooking.
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
Agri vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Agri and Chiang Mai?
Agri and Chiang Mai differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($1,076 vs $866 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Agri compared to Chiang Mai?
You'd need roughly $1,614 in Agri and $1,300 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 apartment prices compare in Agri and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $511 in Agri versus $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Agri and Chiang Mai?
Childcare runs $606 in Agri versus $299 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Agri pay roughly 9% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,076 in Agri, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Agri. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Agri and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Agri or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Agri 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.
Where should expats move: Agri or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet β expenses run 24% less than in Agri. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.