πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $4,087 in Bergen County, NJ versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,215 in Bergen County, NJ versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,344 in Bergen County, NJ versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
πLiving in Bergen County, NJ is roughly 380% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Bergen County, NJ is 205% above, Chiang Mai is 36% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.71$19.71
$1.96ΰΈΏ64.0
905.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.2$85.2
$18.81ΰΈΏ615
352.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.81$13.81
$7.92ΰΈΏ259
74.37%
Cappuccino
$4.92$4.92
$1.91ΰΈΏ62.6
157.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40$2.40
$0.84ΰΈΏ27.41
185.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.51
542.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.19$7.19
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
225.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.21$9.21
$3.80ΰΈΏ124
142.37%
π Groceries & Markets
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29$1.29
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-21.34%
White Bread(500g)
$4.45$4.45
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.1
174.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$9.01$9.01
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.62
663.56%
Eggs
$4.85$4.85
$2.01ΰΈΏ65.8
141.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.02$17.02
$15.89ΰΈΏ520
7.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.63$11.63
$3.01ΰΈΏ98.5
286.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.51$17.51
$10.77ΰΈΏ352
62.58%
Apples(1kg)
$4.85$4.85
$2.61ΰΈΏ85.5
85.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71$1.71
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.88
40.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.91$3.91
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.7
130.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.06$4.06
$1.58ΰΈΏ51.5
156.96%
Potato(1kg)
$2.90$2.90
$1.32ΰΈΏ43.14
119.70%
Onion(1kg)
$3.85$3.85
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.23
229.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.35$2.35
$0.67ΰΈΏ21.98
250.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14$2.14
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.32
282.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.57$13.57
$4.53ΰΈΏ148
199.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.10$15.10
$18.20ΰΈΏ595
-17.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78$1.78
$1.83ΰΈΏ60.0
-2.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59$3.59
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
11.15%
π Getting Around
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.18$4.18
$0.89ΰΈΏ29.00
369.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$169$169
$19.38ΰΈΏ634
771.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93$2.93
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.20
117.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.05
1.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.55$23.55
$8.25ΰΈΏ270
185.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.64
-28.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K$29.1K
$21.2KΰΈΏ691.8K
37.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K$25.7K
$22.5KΰΈΏ735.3K
14.37%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$130$130
$70.2ΰΈΏ2,294
84.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.09$45.09
$13.77ΰΈΏ450
227.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.8$65.8
$17.60ΰΈΏ575
273.86%
π Sport & Entertainment
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.16$43.16
$41.57ΰΈΏ1,360
3.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60ΰΈΏ216
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.28$17.28
$5.78ΰΈΏ189
198.96%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,258$2,258
$306ΰΈΏ10.0K
637.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.5K$23.5K
$14.8KΰΈΏ484.8K
58.67%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.8$74.8
$54.4ΰΈΏ1,778
37.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.66$23.66
$26.14ΰΈΏ855
-9.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.9$88.9
$84.5ΰΈΏ2,764
5.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
$69.4ΰΈΏ2,270
63.79%
π Accommodation & Living
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,701$2,701
$424ΰΈΏ13.9K
537.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,662$2,662
$238ΰΈΏ7,788
1017.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,683$4,683
$825ΰΈΏ27.0K
467.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,995$2,995
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
481.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,981$3,981
$2,049ΰΈΏ67.0K
94.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,764$3,764
$1,523ΰΈΏ49.8K
147.18%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Bergen County, NJ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,392$5,392
$635ΰΈΏ20.8K
748.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.57
5
31.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bergen County, NJ: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,701 in Bergen County, NJ and $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Bergen County, NJ pays 749% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $85.0 in Bergen County, NJ vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $443 vs $243 per month, with Chiang Mai 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
Bergen County, NJ vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bergen County, NJ and Chiang Mai?
Bergen County, NJ and Chiang Mai differ by about 380% in total monthly costs ($4,087 vs $852 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bergen County, NJ or Chiang Mai?
Bergen County, NJ pays 749% 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 Bergen County, NJ and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,701 in Bergen County, NJ versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Chiang Mai β a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $85.0 in Bergen County, NJ. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bergen County, NJ or Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $4,087 per month in Bergen County, NJ versus $852 in Chiang Mai β a 380% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $852 in Chiang Mai versus $4,087 in Bergen County, NJ, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Bergen County, NJ. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bergen County, NJ and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bergen County, NJ or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bergen County, NJ 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: Bergen County, NJ or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet β expenses run 380% less than in Bergen County, NJ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bergen County, NJ vs other spots: cost of living compared