🙂A single person spends $61.9 per month in Barinas vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $93.0 per month in Barinas vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $124 per month in Barinas vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Barinas is about 93% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Barinas and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Barinas95% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.94฿63.5
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.64฿609
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.82฿255
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.95฿63.8
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97VES 542
$0.85฿27.77
14.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.35฿11.58
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13฿69.6
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.71฿56.0
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.63฿53.2
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09VES 606
$1.14฿37.15
-4.39%
Eggs
-
$1.93฿63.1
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.96VES 1,651
$16.21฿530
-81.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.12฿102
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.90฿356
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.75฿90.0
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.21฿39.52
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.62฿53.0
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.08VES 602
$1.59฿51.8
-32.08%
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.40฿45.70
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.17฿38.17
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.66฿21.60
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.53฿17.22
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.69฿153
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.66฿609
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80฿58.8
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.90฿29.26
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21฿628
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.98VES 1,662
$1.41฿45.91
111.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.94VES 2,753
$1.29฿42.12
282.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84฿256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.27฿41.58
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.3K฿694.9K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$22.2K฿725.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$69.1฿2,256
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$14.08฿460
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.00฿588
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.98VES 5,564
$41.06฿1,341
-75.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96฿227
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.92฿193
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$299฿9,766
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.0K฿488.3K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$54.7฿1,787
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.77฿874
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$85.0฿2,776
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$70.6฿2,306
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$428฿14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$237฿7,752
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$801฿26.2K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$515฿16.8K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,975฿64.5K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,475฿48.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barinas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617฿20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barinas: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 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
Barinas vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Barinas and Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $61.9 in Barinas, $866 in Chiang Mai – roughly 1301% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Barinas compared to Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $92.8 per month in Barinas and $1,300 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: Barinas or Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $61.9 in Barinas and $866 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 1222% 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.
How far does $1,200 go in Barinas vs Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $61.9 in Barinas and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Barinas and Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $61.9 in Barinas to $866 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Barinas 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 Barinas and Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Barinas. 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.