ðA single person spends $1,463 per month in Burgos vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,158 per month in Burgos vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,852 per month in Burgos vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðBurgos costs about 72% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBurgos sits 9% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.98âŽ11.94
$1.96āļŋ63.6
613.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.3âŽ48.93
$18.81āļŋ611
204.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.37âŽ8.00
$7.92āļŋ258
18.31%
Cappuccino
$1.85âŽ1.58
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-3.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36âŽ2.02
$0.84āļŋ27.25
180.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52âŽ1.30
$0.35āļŋ11.44
334.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51âŽ3.00
$2.21āļŋ71.7
58.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29âŽ1.95
$3.80āļŋ124
-39.74%
ð Groceries & Markets
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25âŽ1.06
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-23.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.24âŽ1.06
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-23.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.26âŽ1.93
$1.18āļŋ38.40
91.53%
Eggs
$2.50âŽ2.14
$2.01āļŋ65.4
24.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.82âŽ16.93
$15.89āļŋ517
24.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.79âŽ5.80
$3.01āļŋ98.0
125.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.26âŽ13.03
$10.77āļŋ350
41.69%
Apples(1kg)
$1.96âŽ1.67
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-24.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55âŽ1.33
$1.22āļŋ39.65
27.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70âŽ1.45
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85âŽ2.44
$1.58āļŋ51.2
80.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43âŽ1.22
$1.32āļŋ42.89
8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16âŽ1.84
$1.17āļŋ38.01
84.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02âŽ0.87
$0.67āļŋ21.85
52.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72âŽ0.62
$0.56āļŋ18.21
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.18âŽ6.98
$4.53āļŋ147
80.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.17âŽ6.12
$18.20āļŋ592
-60.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19âŽ1.02
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-34.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35âŽ1.15
$3.23āļŋ105
-58.20%
ð Getting Around
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43âŽ1.22
$0.89āļŋ28.83
60.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.77âŽ22.01
$19.38āļŋ630
32.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.91âŽ2.48
$1.35āļŋ43.95
115.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01âŽ0.86
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-25.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.59âŽ20.15
$8.25āļŋ268
185.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90âŽ1.63
$1.27āļŋ41.40
49.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0KâŽ33.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
84.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5KâŽ24.4K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
26.87%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$126âŽ108
$70.2āļŋ2,281
80.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.79âŽ19.47
$13.77āļŋ448
65.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.87âŽ19.53
$17.60āļŋ572
29.94%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.49âŽ37.14
$41.57āļŋ1,352
4.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.00âŽ9.40
$6.60āļŋ215
66.67%
Cinema Ticket
$8.15âŽ6.96
$5.78āļŋ188
41.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$458âŽ391
$306āļŋ9,953
49.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,963âŽ5,947
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-53.03%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$111âŽ94.9
$54.4āļŋ1,768
104.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.44âŽ31.12
$26.14āļŋ850
39.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.4âŽ55.0
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-23.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$162âŽ139
$69.4āļŋ2,257
133.69%
ð Accommodation & Living
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$754âŽ644
$424āļŋ13.8K
78.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$554âŽ473
$238āļŋ7,743
132.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,031âŽ880
$825āļŋ26.8K
24.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$769âŽ657
$515āļŋ16.7K
49.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,354âŽ2,010
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
14.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,147âŽ1,834
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
41.00%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Burgos
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,104âŽ1,797
$635āļŋ20.6K
231.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
5
-30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Burgos: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $754 in Burgos versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 231% higher in Burgos, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $57.0 in Burgos versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $268 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Burgos vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Burgos or Chiang Mai?
Burgos costs about 72% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Burgos vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,195 per month in Burgos and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Burgos or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Burgos vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $57.0 in Burgos and $19.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Burgos compared to Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,463 in Burgos and $852 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category â it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Burgos or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Burgos at $1,463. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Burgos it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Burgos or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,463 in Burgos. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Burgos compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Burgos or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burgos makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.