ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $392 in Baraut versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $609 in Baraut versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $826 in Baraut versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
ðLiving in Baraut costs roughly 54% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth cities sit below the global median: Baraut71% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38âđ225
$1.96āļŋ63.6
21.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.64âđ1,006
$18.81āļŋ611
-43.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.71âđ351
$7.92āļŋ258
-53.16%
Cappuccino
$1.59âđ150
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-16.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40âđ38.01
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-52.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14âđ13.10
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-60.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76âđ167
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-20.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08âđ292
$3.80āļŋ124
-18.95%
ð Groceries & Markets
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.65âđ61.3
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-60.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46âđ43.25
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-71.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.67âđ63.8
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-43.22%
Eggs
$0.96âđ90.8
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-52.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.08âđ480
$15.89āļŋ517
-68.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06âđ290
$3.01āļŋ98.0
1.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.05âđ194
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-21.46%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67âđ63.2
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-45.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92âđ87.1
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-45.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53âđ50.2
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-66.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36âđ33.61
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-72.73%
Onion(1kg)
$0.45âđ42.35
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-61.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45âđ42.90
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-32.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34âđ32.20
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-39.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90âđ369
$4.53āļŋ147
-13.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.42âđ607
$18.20āļŋ592
-64.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70âđ161
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-7.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80âđ265
$3.23āļŋ105
-13.31%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.17âđ489
-
-
ð Getting Around
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28âđ26.17
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-68.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.56âđ810
$19.38āļŋ630
-55.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.78âđ74.1
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-42.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.24âđ22.63
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-82.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.42âđ135
$8.25āļŋ268
-82.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21âđ115
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-4.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.7Kâđ1.3M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-35.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2Kâđ2.1M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
-1.32%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.25âđ3,619
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-45.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.38âđ320
$13.77āļŋ448
-75.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.38âđ699
$17.60āļŋ572
-58.07%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.00âđ1,513
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-61.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.11âđ673
$6.60āļŋ215
7.73%
Cinema Ticket
$2.89âđ274
$5.78āļŋ188
-50.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$52.1âđ4,927
$306āļŋ9,953
-82.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,567âđ148.3K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-89.43%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.03âđ2,274
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-55.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.66âđ2,428
$26.14āļŋ850
-1.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.43âđ4,015
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-49.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.63âđ2,993
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-54.44%
ð Accommodation & Living
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$125âđ11.8K
$424āļŋ13.8K
-70.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.0âđ7,187
$238āļŋ7,743
-68.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$270âđ25.6K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-67.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$178âđ16.8K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-65.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$823âđ77.9K
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-59.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$460âđ43.5K
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-69.82%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Baraut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$162âđ15.3K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-74.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.67
5
73.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Baraut: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $125 in Baraut and $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Chiang Mai pays 292% 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: $11.00 in Baraut vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $104 vs $243 per month, with Baraut 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
Baraut vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Baraut?
Baraut is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 117% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Baraut or Chiang Mai?
On paper, Chiang Mai earns 292% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Baraut and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $125 in Baraut versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Baraut runs roughly 126% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $52.1 in Baraut versus $306 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,000 enough for either Baraut or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Baraut gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Baraut or Chiang Mai more family-friendly?
For families, Baraut is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chiang Mai, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Baraut or Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Baraut 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 Baraut gentler on the wallet â expenses run 117% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.