🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $354 in Bhuj versus $866 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $627 in Bhuj versus $1,351 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $900 in Bhuj versus $1,835 in Chiang Mai.
🙂Living in Bhuj costs roughly 59% less than in Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bhuj74% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.99₹189
$1.94฿63.5
2.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$7.66₹729
$18.64฿609
-58.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.40₹324
$7.82฿255
-56.52%
Cappuccino
$1.39₹132
$1.95฿63.8
-28.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35₹33.72
$0.85฿27.77
-58.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17₹15.92
$0.35฿11.58
-51.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.03₹98.2
$2.13฿69.6
-51.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77₹169
$3.73฿122
-52.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67₹63.7
$1.71฿56.0
-60.82%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49₹46.86
$1.63฿53.2
-69.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.69₹65.7
$1.14฿37.15
-39.47%
Eggs
$1.02₹96.9
$1.93฿63.1
-47.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.03₹575
$16.21฿530
-62.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.07₹292
$3.12฿102
-1.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.90฿356
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.68₹255
$2.75฿90.0
-2.55%
Banana(1kg)
$0.71₹67.5
$1.21฿39.52
-41.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.94₹89.1
$1.62฿53.0
-41.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.65₹61.5
$1.59฿51.8
-59.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.40₹37.94
$1.40฿45.70
-71.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52₹49.88
$1.17฿38.17
-55.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57₹54.0
$0.66฿21.60
-13.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34₹32.30
$0.53฿17.22
-35.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.39₹228
$4.69฿153
-49.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.87₹654
$18.66฿609
-63.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.30₹219
$1.80฿58.8
27.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69₹161
$3.23฿106
-47.68%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$8.09₹771
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30₹28.97
$0.90฿29.26
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.70₹829
$19.21฿628
-54.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83₹79.2
$1.41฿45.91
-41.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.18₹17.20
$1.29฿42.12
-86.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.41₹134
$7.84฿256
-82.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17₹111
$1.27฿41.58
-7.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.7K₹1.3M
$21.3K฿694.9K
-35.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5K₹2.0M
$22.2K฿725.4K
-3.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$17.25₹1,643
$69.1฿2,256
-75.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.46₹330
$14.08฿460
-75.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.32₹983
$18.00฿588
-42.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$11.77₹1,121
$41.06฿1,341
-71.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.79₹1,314
$6.96฿227
98.13%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98₹284
$5.92฿193
-49.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$51.7₹4,922
$299฿9,766
-82.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,564₹149.0K
$15.0K฿488.3K
-89.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.59₹2,342
$54.7฿1,787
-55.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.52₹2,431
$26.77฿874
-4.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$43.19₹4,115
$85.0฿2,776
-49.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.75₹3,025
$70.6฿2,306
-55.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$84.9₹8,087
$428฿14.0K
-80.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$66.0₹6,283
$237฿7,752
-72.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$210₹20.0K
$801฿26.2K
-73.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$261₹24.9K
$515฿16.8K
-49.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$960₹91.4K
$1,975฿64.5K
-51.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$513₹48.9K
$1,475฿48.2K
-65.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bhuj
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$578₹55.1K
$617฿20.2K
-6.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
5
20.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bhuj: June 2, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $84.9 in Bhuj and $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chiang Mai pays 7% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $8.00 in Bhuj vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $114 vs $246 per month, with Bhuj 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
Bhuj vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bhuj and Chiang Mai?
Bhuj and Chiang Mai differ by about 145% in total monthly costs ($354 vs $866 including rent). Bhuj is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Chiang Mai earns 7% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Bhuj and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $84.9 in Bhuj versus $428 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bhuj or Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $354 per month in Bhuj versus $866 in Chiang Mai – a 145% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Bhuj and Chiang Mai?
A monthly transit pass in Bhuj runs roughly 121% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Bhuj vs Chiang Mai?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Bhuj 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 Bhuj and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bhuj or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bhuj 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: Bhuj or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Bhuj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 145% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.