Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Barra and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Barra: $104 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $10,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Barra, Gambia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Barra
🇬🇲 Gambia
$104
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Barra and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Barra and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $104 per month in Barra vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Barra $104
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $177 per month in Barra vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Barra $177
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $250 per month in Barra vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Barra $250
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Barra is about 89% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Barra and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Barra 92% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.24 ฿75.7
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$19.00 ฿642
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.55 ฿188
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.67 ฿56.6
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.64 ฿21.56
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.31 ฿10.32
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.36 ฿79.6
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.66 ฿124
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.95 ฿65.8
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.96 GMD 71.5
$1.44 ฿48.51
-33.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.33 ฿45.07
-
Eggs
$2.47 GMD 183
$2.28 ฿77.1
8.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$16.45 ฿556
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.20 GMD 533
$2.78 ฿94.0
158.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$9.31 ฿314
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.35 ฿79.5
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.99 GMD 147
$0.97 ฿32.82
105.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.72 GMD 202
$1.60 ฿53.9
70.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.01 GMD 149
$1.50 ฿50.7
34.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 GMD 81.9
$1.28 ฿43.15
-13.28%
Onion (1kg)
$0.80 GMD 59.0
$1.10 ฿37.22
-27.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.71 ฿23.84
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 GMD 33.15
$0.49 ฿16.38
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.14 ฿140
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.52 ฿592
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11 GMD 82.1
$1.61 ฿54.5
-31.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 ฿94.0
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.87 ฿29.33
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.1 ฿1,827
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.16 ฿39.08
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.53 ฿17.82
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.42 ฿81.8
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.45 ฿48.93
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.1K ฿711.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.9K ฿909.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$62.2 ฿2,100
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$12.17 ฿411
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$20.12 ฿680
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$37.31 ฿1,260
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.77 ฿127
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.49 ฿219
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$736 ฿24.9K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.4 ฿1,802
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.64 ฿832
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.5 ฿3,089
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$71.9 ฿2,429
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$482 ฿16.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$309 ฿10.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,006 ฿34.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$633 ฿21.4K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$590 ฿19.9K
-
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 Barra: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$309
Groceries & Markets
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$234
Clothing & Footwear
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$109
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$94
Eating Out
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$78
Getting Around
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$61
Sport & Entertainment
Barra
–
Chiang Mai
$50
Good to know
🇬🇲 Barra
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
22:55 10:55 PM
05:55 5:55 AM
7 h ahead of Barra
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,020
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to GMD – Gambian Dalasi Converter

Gambian Dalasi exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 74.1 GMD (100 GMD = 1.35 USD). 1 EUR = 82.49 GMD (100 GMD = 1.21 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.59 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Barra Chiang Mai 12,090 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Barra
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Barra vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barra cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Yes – Chiang Mai is pricier by about 798%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $156 per month in Barra and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Barra and in Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $104 in Barra and $936 in Chiang Mai. That makes Barra about 89% cheaper.
How do food prices compare in Barra and in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 125% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is it better to live in Barra or in Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $104 in Barra to $936 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Barra or Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Barra vs other spots: cost of living compared

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