Cost of Living Comparison Between Bandar Lampung and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Bandar Lampung and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $569 in Bandar Lampung versus $866 in Chiang Mai.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $864 in Bandar Lampung versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,159 in Bandar Lampung versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.

Living in Bandar Lampung costs roughly 34% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bandar Lampung 58% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.68 Rp 30.0K
$1.94 ฿63.5
-13.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.43 Rp 222.0K
$18.64 ฿609
-33.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.25 Rp 58.1K
$7.82 ฿255
-58.44%
Cappuccino
$0.96 Rp 17.1K
$1.95 ฿63.8
-50.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 Rp 6,465
$0.85 ฿27.77
-57.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 Rp 4,272
$0.35 ฿11.58
-31.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.03 Rp 36.3K
$2.13 ฿69.6
-4.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 Rp 58.2K
$3.73 ฿122
-12.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 Rp 21.6K
$1.71 ฿56.0
-29.24%
White Bread (500g)
$0.95 Rp 17.0K
$1.63 ฿53.2
-41.72%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.14 ฿37.15
-29.82%
Eggs
$1.41 Rp 25.2K
$1.93 ฿63.1
-26.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.36 Rp 113.6K
$16.21 ฿530
-60.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.04 Rp 54.2K
$3.12 ฿102
-2.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.25 Rp 111.5K
$10.90 ฿356
-42.66%
Apples (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.1K
$2.75 ฿90.0
-28.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 Rp 18.7K
$1.21 ฿39.52
-13.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.35 Rp 24.1K
$1.62 ฿53.0
-16.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.41 Rp 25.1K
$1.59 ฿51.8
-11.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 20.9K
$1.40 ฿45.70
-16.43%
Onion (1kg)
$1.75 Rp 31.3K
$1.17 ฿38.17
49.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.60 Rp 10.8K
$0.66 ฿21.60
-9.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 Rp 7,497
$0.53 ฿17.22
-20.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.89 Rp 33.7K
$4.69 ฿153
-59.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.91 Rp 373.3K
$18.66 ฿609
12.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 Rp 27.7K
$1.80 ฿58.8
-13.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 Rp 57.2K
$3.23 ฿106
-0.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.59 Rp 10.6K
$0.90 ฿29.26
-34.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.54 Rp 170.3K
$19.21 ฿628
-50.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 Rp 9,470
$1.41 ฿45.91
-62.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 Rp 6,199
$1.29 ฿42.12
-72.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.15 Rp 56.2K
$7.84 ฿256
-59.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.67 Rp 12.0K
$1.27 ฿41.58
-47.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 439.8M
$21.3K ฿694.9K
15.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K Rp 443.9M
$22.2K ฿725.4K
11.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.55 Rp 777.8K
$69.1 ฿2,256
-36.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.53 Rp 116.6K
$14.08 ฿460
-53.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.96 Rp 481.4K
$18.00 ฿588
49.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.32 Rp 416.5K
$41.06 ฿1,341
-43.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.23 Rp 164.9K
$6.96 ฿227
32.61%
Cinema Ticket
$2.75 Rp 49.1K
$5.92 ฿193
-53.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$30.38 Rp 542.5K
$299 ฿9,766
-89.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,575 Rp 171.0M
$15.0K ฿488.3K
-35.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.05 Rp 411.6K
$54.7 ฿1,787
-57.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.56 Rp 367.1K
$26.77 ฿874
-23.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$21.58 Rp 385.4K
$85.0 ฿2,776
-74.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.54 Rp 723.9K
$70.6 ฿2,306
-42.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$258 Rp 4.6M
$428 ฿14.0K
-39.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 Rp 2.8M
$237 ฿7,752
-33.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$587 Rp 10.5M
$801 ฿26.2K
-26.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$329 Rp 5.9M
$515 ฿16.8K
-36.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,155 Rp 20.6M
$1,975 ฿64.5K
-41.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$727 Rp 13.0M
$1,475 ฿48.2K
-50.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bandar Lampung
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$180 Rp 3.2M
$617 ฿20.2K
-70.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.59
5
91.80%

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

Last update for Bandar Lampung: May 31, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $258 in Bandar Lampung and $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chiang Mai pays 244% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $12.00 in Bandar Lampung vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $182 vs $246 per month, with Bandar Lampung 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
Bandar Lampung vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bandar Lampung or Chiang Mai?
Bandar Lampung wins on cost – living expenses run 52% lower than in Chiang Mai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandar Lampung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bandar Lampung or Chiang Mai?
On paper, Chiang Mai earns 244% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bandar Lampung vs Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $258 in Bandar Lampung versus $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Bandar Lampung vs Chiang Mai?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandar Lampung – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Bandar Lampung compared to Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $569 per month in Bandar Lampung versus $866 in Chiang Mai – a 52% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Bandar Lampung or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Bandar Lampung 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, Bandar Lampung or Chiang Mai?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandar Lampung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $569 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bandar Lampung hard to pass up.
How safe is Bandar Lampung compared to Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Bandar Lampung 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 Bandar Lampung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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