πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,008 in Antakya versus $869 in Chiang Mai.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,599 in Antakya versus $1,362 in Chiang Mai.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,189 in Antakya versus $1,855 in Chiang Mai.
πLiving in Antakya is roughly 16% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Antakya25% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.49βΊ346
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
278.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.35βΊ1,404
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
61.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23βΊ334
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-6.71%
Cappuccino
$3.77βΊ174
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
96.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21βΊ56.2
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
53.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40βΊ18.36
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
11.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49βΊ162
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
57.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39βΊ157
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-7.38%
π Groceries & Markets
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03βΊ47.65
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-37.58%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48βΊ22.03
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-70.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99βΊ92.0
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
67.23%
Eggs
$2.65βΊ122
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
32.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.61βΊ537
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-27.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.06βΊ234
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
67.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.48βΊ947
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
88.58%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21βΊ55.9
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-56.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07βΊ95.8
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
75.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.04βΊ48.08
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-36.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.17βΊ53.9
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-23.03%
Potato(1kg)
$0.81βΊ37.33
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-41.30%
Onion(1kg)
$0.75βΊ34.49
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-36.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66βΊ30.30
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
-5.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39βΊ17.83
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-30.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18βΊ101
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-52.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.99βΊ509
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-33.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.49βΊ115
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
36.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57βΊ165
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
11.56%
π Getting Around
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.68βΊ31.32
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-22.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.94βΊ1,431
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
65.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ50.2
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
-19.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66βΊ30.34
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-50.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66βΊ354
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-2.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12βΊ51.8
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-8.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.3KβΊ2.0M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
100.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.2KβΊ2.0M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
95.83%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.9βΊ2,817
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
-13.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.99βΊ416
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-34.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.92βΊ412
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-48.88%
π Sport & Entertainment
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.90βΊ1,984
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
3.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.57βΊ119
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-55.46%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$605βΊ28.0K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
97.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,055βΊ418.9K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-38.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.91βΊ875
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-66.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.66βΊ1,187
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
-2.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.0βΊ3,470
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-12.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.4βΊ2,333
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
-30.19%
π Accommodation & Living
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$507βΊ23.4K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
17.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$388βΊ17.9K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
62.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$890βΊ41.2K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
8.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723βΊ33.5K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
41.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,274βΊ58.9K
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-35.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$804βΊ37.2K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-45.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Antakya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
5
200.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Antakya: June 8, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $507 in Antakya and $430 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $30.00 in Antakya vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $236 vs $241, with Antakya 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
Antakya vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Antakya and Chiang Mai?
Antakya and Chiang Mai differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($1,008 vs $869 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 Antakya compared to Chiang Mai?
You'd need roughly $1,512 in Antakya and $1,303 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 Antakya and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $507 in Antakya versus $430 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Antakya pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Chiang Mai β a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $30.00 in Antakya. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $800 go in Antakya vs Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Chiang Mai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Antakya 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 Antakya or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Antakya 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: Antakya or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet β expenses run 16% less than in Antakya. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.