ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,420 in Amarante versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,005 in Amarante versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,589 in Amarante versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
ðLiving in Amarante is roughly 67% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Amarante is 6% above, Chiang Mai is 36% below.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.56âŽ5.62
$1.96āļŋ64.0
234.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.10âŽ19.77
$18.81āļŋ615
22.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.58âŽ5.63
$7.92āļŋ259
-16.92%
Cappuccino
$0.89âŽ0.76
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-53.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58âŽ1.35
$0.84āļŋ27.41
88.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43âŽ1.23
$0.35āļŋ11.51
308.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.25âŽ1.07
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-43.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47âŽ1.25
$3.80āļŋ124
-61.32%
ð Groceries & Markets
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10âŽ0.95
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-32.93%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74âŽ0.63
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-54.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.25âŽ1.07
$1.18āļŋ38.62
5.93%
Eggs
$3.02âŽ2.58
$2.01āļŋ65.8
50.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.25âŽ9.63
$15.89āļŋ520
-29.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.60âŽ2.22
$3.01āļŋ98.5
-13.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.14âŽ2.68
$10.77āļŋ352
-70.84%
Apples(1kg)
$1.59âŽ1.36
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-39.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54âŽ1.32
$1.22āļŋ39.88
26.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.72âŽ1.47
$1.70āļŋ55.7
1.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.92âŽ2.50
$1.58āļŋ51.5
84.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.33âŽ1.14
$1.32āļŋ43.14
0.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.86âŽ1.59
$1.17āļŋ38.23
58.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29âŽ1.10
$0.67āļŋ21.98
92.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91âŽ0.78
$0.56āļŋ18.32
62.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.11âŽ5.23
$4.53āļŋ148
34.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.19âŽ5.30
$18.20āļŋ595
-65.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15âŽ0.98
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-37.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73âŽ2.34
$3.23āļŋ106
-15.48%
ð Getting Around
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27âŽ1.95
$0.89āļŋ29.00
155.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.80âŽ36.64
$19.38āļŋ634
120.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28âŽ1.09
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-5.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14âŽ0.98
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-15.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.26âŽ12.21
$8.25āļŋ270
72.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.96âŽ1.68
$1.27āļŋ41.64
54.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9KâŽ11.9K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-34.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KâŽ23.9K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
24.40%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133âŽ114
$70.2āļŋ2,294
89.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.04âŽ18.01
$13.77āļŋ450
52.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.80âŽ35.79
$17.60āļŋ575
137.50%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.77âŽ37.47
$41.57āļŋ1,360
5.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60āļŋ216
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.42âŽ7.21
$5.78āļŋ189
45.67%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$343âŽ294
$306āļŋ10.0K
12.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,172âŽ6,996
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-44.87%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.7âŽ58.8
$54.4āļŋ1,778
26.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.75âŽ28.89
$26.14āļŋ855
29.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.3âŽ58.5
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-19.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.8âŽ69.2
$69.4āļŋ2,270
16.36%
ð Accommodation & Living
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$935âŽ801
$424āļŋ13.9K
120.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$741âŽ634
$238āļŋ7,788
210.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,478âŽ1,265
$825āļŋ27.0K
79.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,177âŽ1,007
$515āļŋ16.8K
128.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,892âŽ2,476
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
41.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,307âŽ1,975
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
51.53%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Amarante
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,042âŽ892
$635āļŋ20.8K
64.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.43
5
8.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Amarante: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $935 in Amarante and $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Amarante pays 64% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $23.00 in Amarante vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $178 vs $243, with Amarante 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
Amarante vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Amarante and Chiang Mai?
Amarante and Chiang Mai differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($1,420 vs $852 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Amarante or Chiang Mai?
Amarante pays 64% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Amarante and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $935 in Amarante versus $424 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 Amarante and Chiang Mai?
Childcare runs $343 in Amarante versus $306 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 Amarante pay roughly 37% 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 $852 in Chiang Mai versus $1,420 in Amarante, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Amarante. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Amarante and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Amarante or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Amarante 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: Amarante or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet â expenses run 67% less than in Amarante. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.