๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,213 in Beliลกฤe versus $866 in Chiang Mai.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,820 in Beliลกฤe versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,427 in Beliลกฤe versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.
๐Living in Beliลกฤe is roughly 40% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities sit below the global median: Beliลกฤe9% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.27โฌ7.11
$1.94เธฟ63.5
326.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.47โฌ34.81
$18.64เธฟ609
117.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.92โฌ5.95
$7.82เธฟ255
-11.51%
Cappuccino
$2.14โฌ1.84
$1.95เธฟ63.8
9.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26โฌ1.95
$0.85เธฟ27.77
165.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09โฌ1.79
$0.35เธฟ11.58
497.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35โฌ2.02
$2.13เธฟ69.6
10.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37โฌ2.04
$3.73เธฟ122
-36.46%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91โฌ0.78
$1.71เธฟ56.0
-46.78%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66โฌ0.57
$1.63เธฟ53.2
-59.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.82โฌ2.43
$1.14เธฟ37.15
147.37%
Eggs
$3.14โฌ2.70
$1.93เธฟ63.1
62.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.84โฌ9.32
$16.21เธฟ530
-33.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.65โฌ6.58
$3.12เธฟ102
145.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.29โฌ9.71
$10.90เธฟ356
3.58%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18โฌ1.02
$2.75เธฟ90.0
-57.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.37โฌ1.18
$1.21เธฟ39.52
13.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.60โฌ1.38
$1.62เธฟ53.0
-1.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52โฌ2.17
$1.59เธฟ51.8
58.49%
Potato(1kg)
$0.91โฌ0.78
$1.40เธฟ45.70
-35.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.22โฌ1.05
$1.17เธฟ38.17
4.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22โฌ1.05
$0.66เธฟ21.60
84.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95โฌ0.82
$0.53เธฟ17.22
79.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.67โฌ4.88
$4.69เธฟ153
20.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.77โฌ6.69
$18.66เธฟ609
-58.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19โฌ1.02
$1.80เธฟ58.8
-33.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02โฌ1.74
$3.23เธฟ106
-37.46%
๐ Getting Around
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.69โฌ1.46
$0.90เธฟ29.26
87.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.34โฌ36.42
$19.21เธฟ628
120.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.81โฌ3.28
$1.41เธฟ45.91
170.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10โฌ0.95
$1.29เธฟ42.12
-14.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.71โฌ4.91
$7.84เธฟ256
-27.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.66โฌ1.42
$1.27เธฟ41.58
30.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6Kโฌ28.0K
$21.3Kเธฟ694.9K
53.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5Kโฌ22.8K
$22.2Kเธฟ725.4K
19.37%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124โฌ107
$69.1เธฟ2,256
79.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.07โฌ15.54
$14.08เธฟ460
28.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.21โฌ22.55
$18.00เธฟ588
45.61%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.53โฌ21.96
$41.06เธฟ1,341
-37.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.98โฌ12.88
$6.96เธฟ227
115.23%
Cinema Ticket
$5.26โฌ4.53
$5.92เธฟ193
-11.15%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$345โฌ297
$299เธฟ9,766
15.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,799โฌ2,407
$15.0Kเธฟ488.3K
-81.28%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$123โฌ106
$54.7เธฟ1,787
124.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.74โฌ37.62
$26.77เธฟ874
63.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$46.48โฌ39.98
$85.0เธฟ2,776
-45.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.4โฌ49.33
$70.6เธฟ2,306
-18.77%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$191โฌ164
$428เธฟ14.0K
-55.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$464โฌ399
$237เธฟ7,752
95.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$347โฌ298
$801เธฟ26.2K
-56.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$771โฌ663
$515เธฟ16.8K
49.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,078โฌ3,508
$1,975เธฟ64.5K
106.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,241โฌ1,067
$1,475เธฟ48.2K
-15.89%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Beliลกฤe
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,884โฌ1,621
$617เธฟ20.2K
205.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.2
5
-36.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Beliลกฤe: June 2, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $191 in Beliลกฤe and $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐBeliลกฤe pays 205% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $40.00 in Beliลกฤe vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $224 vs $246, with Beliลกฤe cheaper for home cooking.
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
Beliลกฤe vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Beliลกฤe and Chiang Mai?
Beliลกฤe and Chiang Mai differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,213 vs $866 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Beliลกฤe or Chiang Mai?
Beliลกฤe pays 205% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Beliลกฤe and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $191 in Beliลกฤe versus $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Beliลกฤe and Chiang Mai?
Childcare runs $345 in Beliลกฤe versus $299 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Beliลกฤe pay roughly 10% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How far does $800 go in Beliลกฤe vs Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Chiang Mai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Beliลกฤe and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Beliลกฤe or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Beliลกฤe 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.
Where should expats move: Beliลกฤe or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 40% less than in Beliลกฤe. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.