ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,012 in Aurillac versus $845 in Chiang Mai.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,060 in Aurillac versus $1,323 in Chiang Mai.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,108 in Aurillac versus $1,802 in Chiang Mai.
ðLiving in Aurillac is roughly 138% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Aurillac is 50% above, Chiang Mai is 37% below.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.28âŽ14.74
$1.95āļŋ62.8
786.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.9âŽ64.7
$18.43āļŋ594
311.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.66âŽ10.80
$7.50āļŋ241
68.80%
Cappuccino
$4.00âŽ3.41
$1.93āļŋ62.3
107.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95âŽ2.51
$0.78āļŋ25.08
278.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77âŽ1.51
$0.32āļŋ10.42
453.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.26âŽ7.05
$2.15āļŋ69.2
284.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.79âŽ5.79
$3.71āļŋ120
83.02%
ð Groceries & Markets
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47âŽ1.25
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-14.04%
White Bread(500g)
$2.56âŽ2.19
$1.56āļŋ50.3
64.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.53âŽ2.16
$1.18āļŋ38.06
114.41%
Eggs
$4.13âŽ3.52
$1.98āļŋ63.9
108.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.47âŽ20.87
$16.04āļŋ517
52.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.92âŽ13.58
$3.17āļŋ102
402.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.51âŽ21.76
$10.94āļŋ353
133.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.79âŽ2.38
$2.63āļŋ84.7
6.08%
Banana(1kg)
$2.57âŽ2.19
$1.17āļŋ37.61
119.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.62âŽ3.09
$1.65āļŋ53.0
119.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.92âŽ3.34
$1.54āļŋ49.51
154.55%
Potato(1kg)
$2.78âŽ2.37
$1.38āļŋ44.34
101.45%
Onion(1kg)
$2.86âŽ2.44
$1.17āļŋ37.54
144.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.48âŽ1.26
$0.66āļŋ21.25
124.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87âŽ0.74
$0.51āļŋ16.55
70.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.91âŽ11.87
$4.52āļŋ146
207.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.70âŽ7.42
$18.32āļŋ590
-52.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.20âŽ2.73
$1.80āļŋ57.9
77.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13âŽ2.67
$3.18āļŋ102
-1.57%
ð Getting Around
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.91âŽ1.63
$0.90āļŋ28.97
112.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.36âŽ42.10
$19.00āļŋ612
159.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.82âŽ4.97
$1.41āļŋ45.50
312.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.85âŽ1.58
$1.31āļŋ42.15
41.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$58.4âŽ49.84
$8.09āļŋ261
622.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.04âŽ1.74
$1.28āļŋ41.08
59.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2KâŽ31.7K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
74.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.4KâŽ31.9K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
72.43%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$286âŽ244
$69.2āļŋ2,230
313.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.53âŽ19.21
$13.97āļŋ450
61.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.69âŽ31.30
$17.95āļŋ578
104.40%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.05âŽ32.45
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-10.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.51âŽ15.79
$6.66āļŋ214
177.93%
Cinema Ticket
$13.90âŽ11.86
$5.92āļŋ191
134.80%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$753âŽ643
$299āļŋ9,640
151.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0KâŽ10.2K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-19.21%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$111âŽ94.5
$56.2āļŋ1,810
97.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.1âŽ43.60
$26.94āļŋ868
89.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122âŽ104
$84.9āļŋ2,735
44.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$166âŽ142
$71.8āļŋ2,314
131.13%
ð Accommodation & Living
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$770âŽ657
$435āļŋ14.0K
76.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$627âŽ535
$240āļŋ7,727
161.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,414âŽ1,206
$798āļŋ25.7K
77.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,098âŽ937
$498āļŋ16.1K
120.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,249âŽ3,624
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
112.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,086âŽ2,632
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
101.46%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Aurillac
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,183âŽ3,568
$628āļŋ20.2K
565.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.76
5
-24.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aurillac: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $770 in Aurillac and $435 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Aurillac pays 566% 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: $76 in Aurillac vs $18 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $430 vs $244 per month, with Chiang Mai cheaper across the board.
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
Aurillac vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Aurillac?
Chiang Mai is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 138% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Aurillac or Chiang Mai?
Aurillac pays 566% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Aurillac and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $770 in Aurillac versus $435 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $753 in Aurillac versus $299 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Aurillac and Chiang Mai?
Supermarket bills run roughly 76% higher in Aurillac. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Aurillac or Chiang Mai?
At $845 in Chiang Mai versus $2,012 in Aurillac, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Aurillac. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Aurillac or Chiang Mai more family-friendly?
For families, Chiang Mai is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Aurillac, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Aurillac or Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Aurillac 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 Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet â expenses run 138% less than in Aurillac. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.