πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $206 in Beyla versus $866 in Chiang Mai.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $420 in Beyla versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $634 in Beyla versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.
πLiving in Beyla costs roughly 76% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Beyla85% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.28GNFΒ 124.7K
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
636.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.30GNFΒ 273.3K
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
67.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-
π Groceries & Markets
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.13GNFΒ 9,828
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-30.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
-
Eggs
$1.17GNFΒ 10.2K
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-39.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.18GNFΒ 19.1K
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-20.73%
Banana(1kg)
$2.17GNFΒ 19.0K
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
79.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.14GNFΒ 18.7K
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
32.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.18GNFΒ 19.0K
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
37.11%
Potato(1kg)
$2.22GNFΒ 19.4K
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
58.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.24GNFΒ 19.6K
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
91.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02GNFΒ 8,897
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
54.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.02GNFΒ 8,939
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
92.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.97GNFΒ 8,505
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-79.32%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40GNFΒ 12.2K
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-22.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-
π Getting Around
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
-
π Accommodation & Living
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Beyla
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,033GNFΒ 17.7M
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
229.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Beyla: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Beyla pays 229% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $31.00 in Beyla vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries flip the comparison at $94.0 vs $246, with Beyla 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
Beyla vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Beyla or Chiang Mai?
Beyla wins on cost β living expenses run 320% lower than in Chiang Mai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Beyla the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Beyla or Chiang Mai?
Beyla pays 229% 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 much does it cost to live in Beyla compared to Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $206 per month in Beyla versus $866 in Chiang Mai β a 320% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Beyla or Chiang Mai?
Supermarket bills run roughly 163% higher in Chiang Mai. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $800/month in Beyla or Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Beyla gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Beyla or Chiang Mai?
Both work as nomad bases, but Beyla delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $206 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Beyla hard to pass up.
How safe is Beyla compared to Chiang Mai?
Safety-wise, Beyla 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Beyla gentler on the wallet β expenses run 320% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.