Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Chiang Mai

Name: Chiang Mai
Address: Chiang Mai, TH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $391 per month in Al Kut vs $950 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $596 per month in Al Kut vs $1,430 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $801 per month in Al Kut vs $1,909 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Al Kut is about 59% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Al Kut and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Al Kut 72% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.83 IQD 2,393

$2.10 ฿69.0

-12.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿653

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿190

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.1

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

$0.31 IQD 407

$0.78 ฿25.49

-60.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.15 IQD 200

$0.31 ฿10.32

-51.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿76.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 IQD 1,528

$2.03 ฿66.8

-42.36%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 IQD 2,045

$1.42 ฿46.53

9.86%

Eggs

$1.55 IQD 2,024

$2.18 ฿71.6

-28.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.24 IQD 2,933

$15.91 ฿523

-85.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.57 IQD 4,671

$3.07 ฿101

16.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.17 IQD 12.0K

$9.87 ฿324

-7.09%

Apples (1kg)

$0.84 IQD 1,096

$2.63 ฿86.4

-68.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.05 IQD 1,377

$1.10 ฿36.02

-4.55%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 IQD 1,122

$1.63 ฿53.6

-47.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 IQD 680

$1.53 ฿50.3

-66.01%

Potato (1kg)

$0.46 IQD 605

$1.24 ฿40.93

-62.90%

Onion (1kg)

$0.47 IQD 609

$1.13 ฿37.19

-58.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 IQD 547

$0.74 ฿24.26

-43.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 IQD 378

$0.50 ฿16.40

-42.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$0.98 IQD 1,277

$4.28 ฿141

-77.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿591

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿55.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿30.97

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,818

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.56

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.07 IQD 13.2K

$2.40 ฿78.9

319.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.32

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

$21.2K ฿696.8K

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

$27.3K ฿897.8K

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

$170 IQD 222.6K

$64.9 ฿2,135

161.76%

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

$14.95 IQD 19.6K

$13.35 ฿439

11.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.30 IQD 33.1K

$20.83 ฿685

21.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$16.82 IQD 22.0K

$40.42 ฿1,329

-58.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$4.93 IQD 6,461

$6.71 ฿221

-26.53%

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

$787 ฿25.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,393 IQD 1.8M

$15.1K ฿497.2K

-90.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.38 IQD 26.7K

$56.2 ฿1,849

-63.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.32 IQD 33.2K

$24.95 ฿820

1.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,048

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$30.06 IQD 39.4K

$75.1 ฿2,470

-59.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿15.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,446

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 IQD 332.6K

$910 ฿29.9K

-72.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$172 IQD 225.3K

$531 ฿17.4K

-67.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,012 IQD 1.3M

$1,980 ฿65.1K

-48.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$495 IQD 648.7K

$1,451 ฿47.7K

-65.86%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿19.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Al Kut: September 6, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 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

Al Kut vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $391 in Al Kut, $950 in Chiang Mai – roughly 143% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $586 per month in Al Kut and $1,426 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $391 in Al Kut and $950 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 142% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $391 in Al Kut to $950 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.