🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $664 in Algiers versus $861 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,060 in Algiers versus $1,350 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,457 in Algiers versus $1,838 in Chiang Mai.
🌍Living in Algiers costs roughly 23% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Algiers50% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.28DZD 435
$1.96฿65.9
67.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.92DZD 3,167
$18.35฿617
30.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.75DZD 629
$7.48฿252
-36.50%
Cappuccino
$0.98DZD 130
$2.02฿67.8
-51.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62DZD 81.6
$0.85฿28.52
-27.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21DZD 27.69
$0.36฿11.97
-41.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.00DZD 264
$2.14฿71.9
-6.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34DZD 310
$3.59฿121
-34.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00DZD 132
$1.65฿55.5
-39.39%
White Bread(500g)
$0.16DZD 20.94
$1.57฿52.7
-89.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.83DZD 242
$1.19฿40.05
53.78%
Eggs
$1.79DZD 236
$1.94฿65.1
-7.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.06DZD 1,200
$16.19฿545
-44.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.35DZD 708
$2.99฿101
78.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.43DZD 2,176
$10.94฿368
50.18%
Apples(1kg)
$3.23DZD 428
$2.71฿91.2
19.19%
Banana(1kg)
$2.84DZD 376
$1.17฿39.27
142.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.72DZD 228
$1.69฿56.8
1.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.93DZD 123
$1.60฿54.0
-41.88%
Potato(1kg)
$0.60DZD 79.1
$1.38฿46.56
-56.52%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46DZD 60.9
$1.20฿40.47
-61.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72DZD 95.1
$0.67฿22.51
7.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30DZD 40.17
$0.56฿18.74
-46.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.73DZD 362
$4.64฿156
-41.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.86DZD 908
$17.62฿593
-61.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.29DZD 171
$1.86฿62.6
-30.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06DZD 272
$3.30฿111
-37.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33DZD 43.78
$0.88฿29.70
-62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.46DZD 1,517
$19.34฿651
-40.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.67DZD 88.4
$1.36฿45.92
-50.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37DZD 48.61
$1.34฿45.00
-72.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.69DZD 753
$8.21฿276
-30.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.34DZD 44.64
$1.22฿41.20
-72.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.2KDZD 4.8M
$21.4K฿718.5K
69.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1KDZD 4.4M
$22.5K฿758.1K
47.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.77DZD 5,399
$70.7฿2,378
-42.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.30DZD 1,232
$14.04฿472
-33.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.75DZD 2,350
$17.49฿589
1.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.80DZD 3,284
$42.15฿1,418
-41.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.88DZD 3,030
$6.88฿231
232.56%
Cinema Ticket
$6.22DZD 823
$5.92฿199
5.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.9DZD 12.6K
$309฿10.4K
-69.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,611DZD 478.1K
$14.9K฿500.7K
-75.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.09DZD 4,779
$55.8฿1,876
-35.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.21DZD 5,987
$26.11฿879
73.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.5DZD 10.1K
$83.0฿2,793
-7.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.8DZD 10.3K
$70.5฿2,371
10.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$222DZD 29.5K
$432฿14.5K
-48.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152DZD 20.2K
$239฿8,040
-36.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435DZD 57.6K
$822฿27.7K
-47.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$257DZD 34.0K
$512฿17.2K
-49.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,535DZD 335.7K
$1,915฿64.4K
32.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,386DZD 183.6K
$1,467฿49.4K
-5.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$334DZD 44.2K
$579฿19.5K
-42.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.42
5
8.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Algiers: July 14, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $222 in Algiers and $432 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chiang Mai pays 74% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $24.00 in Algiers vs $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $207 vs $243, with Algiers 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
Algiers vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Algiers?
Algiers is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 30% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Chiang Mai?
On paper, salaries run 74% lower in Chiang Mai. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Algiers and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $222 in Algiers versus $432 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Algiers or in Chiang Mai?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Algiers and in Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $664 per month in Algiers versus $861 in Chiang Mai – a 30% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Algiers or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Algiers gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Algiers or Chiang Mai more family-friendly?
For families, Algiers 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, Algiers or Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Algiers 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 Algiers gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.