🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $646 in Algiers versus $866 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,034 in Algiers versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,422 in Algiers versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Living in Algiers costs roughly 25% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Algiers52% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.25DZD 431
$1.94฿63.6
67.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.07DZD 3,195
$18.64฿609
29.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.66DZD 619
$7.82฿256
-40.41%
Cappuccino
$1.02DZD 136
$1.95฿63.9
-47.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56DZD 74.6
$0.85฿27.80
-34.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21DZD 27.75
$0.35฿11.60
-40.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.96DZD 260
$2.13฿69.7
-7.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35DZD 311
$3.73฿122
-37.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00DZD 133
$1.71฿56.0
-41.52%
White Bread(500g)
$0.16DZD 20.78
$1.63฿53.3
-90.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82DZD 242
$1.14฿37.18
59.65%
Eggs
$1.87DZD 248
$1.93฿63.2
-3.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.90DZD 1,181
$16.21฿530
-45.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.25DZD 697
$3.12฿102
68.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.67DZD 2,212
$10.90฿356
52.94%
Apples(1kg)
$3.06DZD 406
$2.75฿90.1
11.27%
Banana(1kg)
$2.97DZD 394
$1.21฿39.56
145.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76DZD 233
$1.62฿53.0
8.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.88DZD 116
$1.59฿51.9
-44.65%
Potato(1kg)
$0.59DZD 78.4
$1.40฿45.75
-57.86%
Onion(1kg)
$0.50DZD 66.1
$1.17฿38.20
-57.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71DZD 94.7
$0.66฿21.62
7.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28DZD 37.15
$0.53฿17.24
-47.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.70DZD 359
$4.69฿153
-42.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.14DZD 948
$18.66฿610
-61.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28DZD 170
$1.80฿58.8
-28.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09DZD 277
$3.23฿106
-35.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33DZD 43.98
$0.90฿29.28
-63.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.80DZD 1,566
$19.21฿628
-38.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70DZD 92.8
$1.41฿45.96
-50.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34DZD 44.54
$1.29฿42.16
-73.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.47DZD 725
$7.84฿256
-30.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.36DZD 48.09
$1.27฿41.62
-71.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3KDZD 4.7M
$21.3K฿695.5K
66.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1KDZD 4.5M
$22.2K฿726.1K
53.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.87DZD 5,425
$69.1฿2,258
-40.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.56DZD 1,269
$14.08฿460
-32.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.89DZD 2,374
$18.00฿588
-0.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.51DZD 3,253
$41.06฿1,342
-40.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.74DZD 3,018
$6.96฿227
226.72%
Cinema Ticket
$6.29DZD 834
$5.92฿193
6.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.2DZD 12.4K
$299฿9,775
-68.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,596DZD 477.3K
$15.0K฿488.8K
-75.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.85DZD 4,890
$54.7฿1,788
-32.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.31DZD 6,146
$26.77฿875
72.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.4DZD 10.1K
$85.0฿2,778
-10.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.4DZD 10.3K
$70.6฿2,308
9.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$222DZD 29.5K
$428฿14.0K
-48.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154DZD 20.5K
$237฿7,759
-35.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$446DZD 59.2K
$801฿26.2K
-44.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$261DZD 34.7K
$515฿16.9K
-49.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,602DZD 345.4K
$1,975฿64.5K
31.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,402DZD 186.1K
$1,475฿48.2K
-4.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$342DZD 45.4K
$617฿20.2K
-44.59%
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: June 2, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $222 in Algiers and $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chiang Mai pays 80% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $208 vs $246, 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, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 34% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Chiang Mai?
On paper, Chiang Mai earns 80% less. 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 $428 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 Chiang Mai?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Algiers vs Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $646 per month in Algiers versus $866 in Chiang Mai – a 34% 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 34% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.