Cost of Living Comparison Between Baidoa and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Baidoa and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $105 per month in Baidoa vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $183 per month in Baidoa vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $261 per month in Baidoa vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Baidoa is about 89% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Baidoa and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Baidoa 92% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.08 ฿69.3
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$19.61 ฿653
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.67 ฿189
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.81 ฿60.1
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.77 ฿25.58
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.35 ฿11.49
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21 ฿73.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79 ฿126
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.96 SOS 1,110
$2.05 ฿68.2
-4.39%
White Bread (500g)
-
$1.51 ฿50.4
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.22 SOS 689
$1.40 ฿46.57
-12.86%
Eggs
$3.67 SOS 2,081
$2.26 ฿75.2
62.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$16.19 ฿539
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.88 SOS 5,035
$2.90 ฿96.4
206.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.84 SOS 3,881
$9.42 ฿314
-27.39%
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.68 ฿89.2
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.09 ฿36.28
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.62 ฿53.8
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.46 ฿48.61
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.28 ฿42.54
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.06 ฿35.21
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.72 ฿23.88
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.53 ฿17.51
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.23 ฿141
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.29 ฿609
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63 ฿54.3
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.90 ฿96.6
-
🚌 Getting Around
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.88 ฿29.24
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 ฿1,790
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.17 ฿39.04
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.58 ฿19.25
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.39 ฿79.4
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.45 ฿48.28
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.0K ฿699.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.4K ฿879.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$63.7 ฿2,119
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$12.89 ฿429
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$20.52 ฿683
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$39.02 ฿1,299
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.92 ฿130
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.58 ฿219
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$784 ฿26.1K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.7K ฿488.4K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.1 ฿1,835
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.74 ฿824
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$94.1 ฿3,133
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$74.0 ฿2,462
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$490 ฿16.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$288 ฿9,594
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$891 ฿29.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$521 ฿17.3K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,974 ฿65.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,444 ฿48.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baidoa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$602 ฿20.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.57
-

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

Last update for Baidoa: September 12, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 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
Baidoa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Baidoa and in Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $105 in Baidoa, $932 in Chiang Mai – roughly 785% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Baidoa compared to Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $158 per month in Baidoa and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Baidoa or Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $105 in Baidoa and $932 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 132% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Baidoa, where all-in costs run around $105, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Baidoa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Baidoa and Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $105 in Baidoa to $932 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Baidoa or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Baidoa and Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Baidoa. 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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