πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $313 in Artigas versus $869 in Chiang Mai.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $371 in Artigas versus $1,362 in Chiang Mai.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $428 in Artigas versus $1,855 in Chiang Mai.
πLiving in Artigas costs roughly 64% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Artigas77% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-
π Groceries & Markets
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
-
Eggs
-
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-
π Getting Around
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.19UYUΒ 48.12
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
35.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.98UYUΒ 1,783
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
134.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.51UYUΒ 61.1
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
11.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.56UYUΒ 63.2
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
16.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.95UYUΒ 444
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
39.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.38UYUΒ 96.5
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
93.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.9KUYUΒ 1.6M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
84.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3KUYUΒ 1.6M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
74.36%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$174UYUΒ 7,051
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
146.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.39UYUΒ 1,557
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
120.00%
π Sport & Entertainment
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.05UYUΒ 1,178
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-29.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.72UYUΒ 354
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
51.13%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
-
π Accommodation & Living
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Artigas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Artigas: June 9, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 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
Artigas vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Artigas or Chiang Mai?
Artigas wins on cost β living expenses run 178% lower than in Chiang Mai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Artigas the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Artigas vs Chiang Mai?
You'd need roughly $469 in Artigas 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 expensive is transport in Artigas vs Chiang Mai?
A monthly transit pass in Artigas runs roughly 135% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How much does it cost to live in Artigas compared to Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $313 per month in Artigas versus $869 in Chiang Mai β a 178% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Artigas or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Artigas gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Artigas or Chiang Mai?
Both work as nomad bases, but Artigas delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $313 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Artigas hard to pass up.
How safe is Artigas compared to Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Artigas 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Artigas gentler on the wallet β expenses run 178% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.