Cost of Living Comparison Between Az-zabadani and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Az-zabadani and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $635 per month in Az-zabadani vs $950 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,023 per month in Az-zabadani vs $1,430 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,412 per month in Az-zabadani vs $1,909 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Az-zabadani is about 33% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Az-zabadani and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Az-zabadani 54% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.08 SYP 1,225
$2.10 ฿69.3
380.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.77 SYP 5,441
$19.84 ฿656
125.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.11 SYP 864
$5.79 ฿191
22.80%
Cappuccino
$3.75 SYP 455
$1.83 ฿60.4
104.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 SYP 271
$0.78 ฿25.61
185.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 SYP 96.3
$0.31 ฿10.37
154.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.86 SYP 226
$2.34 ฿77.2
-20.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 SYP 354
$3.70 ฿122
-21.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 SYP 127
$2.03 ฿67.1
-48.77%
White Bread (500g)
$0.42 SYP 50.5
$1.60 ฿52.7
-73.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.60 SYP 194
$1.42 ฿46.75
12.68%
Eggs
$1.64 SYP 199
$2.18 ฿71.9
-24.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.88 SYP 472
$15.91 ฿526
-75.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.85 SYP 711
$3.07 ฿102
90.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.67 SYP 1,661
$9.87 ฿326
38.50%
Apples (1kg)
$1.04 SYP 126
$2.63 ฿86.8
-60.46%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 SYP 165
$1.10 ฿36.19
23.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.11 SYP 135
$1.63 ฿53.8
-31.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07 SYP 130
$1.53 ฿50.6
-30.07%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 SYP 91.0
$1.24 ฿41.13
-39.52%
Onion (1kg)
$0.81 SYP 97.9
$1.13 ฿37.37
-28.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.41 SYP 49.47
$0.74 ฿24.38
-44.59%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 SYP 79.9
$0.50 ฿16.48
32.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69 SYP 327
$4.28 ฿141
-37.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.14 SYP 747
$17.97 ฿594
-65.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 SYP 132
$1.70 ฿56.1
-35.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 SYP 345
$2.90 ฿95.7
-2.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.94 ฿31.13
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$55.3 ฿1,827
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.01 SYP 123
$1.23 ฿40.76
-17.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 SYP 189
$0.53 ฿17.66
192.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.62 SYP 926
$2.40 ฿79.3
217.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$3.79 SYP 461
$1.44 ฿47.55
163.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.1K SYP 1.8M
$21.2K ฿700.2K
-28.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2K SYP 2.3M
$27.3K ฿902.1K
-29.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$141 SYP 17.2K
$64.9 ฿2,145
117.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.49 SYP 1,154
$13.35 ฿441
-28.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.00 SYP 5,590
$20.83 ฿688
120.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$40.42 ฿1,336
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.95 ฿131
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.48 SYP 666
$6.71 ฿222
-18.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$67.7 SYP 8,221
$787 ฿26.0K
-91.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,794 SYP 218.0K
$15.1K ฿499.6K
-88.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.98 SYP 3,521
$56.2 ฿1,858
-48.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.99 SYP 4,859
$24.95 ฿824
60.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.7 SYP 7,371
$92.7 ฿3,063
-34.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.5 SYP 6,987
$75.1 ฿2,482
-23.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$484 ฿16.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$287 ฿9,491
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$910 ฿30.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$531 ฿17.5K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,980 ฿65.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,451 ฿47.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Az-zabadani
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$605 ฿20.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.25
5.57
155.83%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Az-zabadani: September 6, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Az-zabadani versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $169 in Az-zabadani vs $242 in Chiang Mai – so Az-zabadani wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Az-zabadani vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Az-zabadani or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 50% more than Az-zabadani, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Az-zabadani and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $952 per month in Az-zabadani and $1,426 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Az-zabadani and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Az-zabadani and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Az-zabadani or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 43% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Az-zabadani or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Az-zabadani, where all-in costs run around $635, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Az-zabadani it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Az-zabadani or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Az-zabadani costs $635 versus $950 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Az-zabadani compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Az-zabadani or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Az-zabadani. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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