ðA single person spends $530 per month in Cabanatuan vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,033 per month in Cabanatuan vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,535 per month in Cabanatuan vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðCabanatuan is about 38% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Cabanatuan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Cabanatuan60% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.52âą277
$1.96āļŋ63.6
130.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.89âą2,195
$18.81āļŋ611
90.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.65âą223
$7.92āļŋ258
-53.91%
Cappuccino
$2.84âą174
$1.91āļŋ62.2
48.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87âą53.4
$0.84āļŋ27.25
3.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48âą29.57
$0.35āļŋ11.44
37.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.48âą90.9
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-33.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62âą160
$3.80āļŋ124
-31.05%
ð Groceries & Markets
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.04âą125
$1.64āļŋ53.2
24.39%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56âą95.6
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-3.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93âą57.1
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-21.19%
Eggs
$2.06âą126
$2.01āļŋ65.4
2.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.47âą212
$15.89āļŋ517
-78.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.16âą193
$3.01āļŋ98.0
4.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.77âą414
$10.77āļŋ350
-37.14%
Apples(1kg)
$4.09âą250
$2.61āļŋ85.0
56.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21âą74.3
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-0.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98âą121
$1.70āļŋ55.4
16.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.82âą50.2
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-48.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.42âą87.0
$1.32āļŋ42.89
7.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45âą88.4
$1.17āļŋ38.01
23.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04âą63.8
$0.67āļŋ21.85
55.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84âą51.7
$0.56āļŋ18.21
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.81âą172
$4.53āļŋ147
-37.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.88âą360
$18.20āļŋ592
-67.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74âą45.08
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-59.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74âą107
$3.23āļŋ105
-46.13%
ð Getting Around
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26âą15.89
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-70.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.38āļŋ630
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74âą45.53
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-45.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22âą13.43
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-83.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.87âą53.3
$8.25āļŋ268
-89.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.11âą67.7
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-12.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0Kâą1.7M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
32.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.8Kâą1.1M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
-20.96%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.9âą3,542
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-17.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.92âą1,280
$13.77āļŋ448
51.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.79âą1,517
$17.60āļŋ572
40.85%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.57âą769
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-69.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.73âą167
$6.60āļŋ215
-58.64%
Cinema Ticket
$6.96âą426
$5.78āļŋ188
20.42%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$152âą9,270
$306āļŋ9,953
-50.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,231âą258.8K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-71.46%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.12âą1,659
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-50.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.09âą2,086
$26.14āļŋ850
30.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.6âą3,828
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-25.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.71âą2,919
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-31.28%
ð Accommodation & Living
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$261âą15.9K
$424āļŋ13.8K
-38.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$44.47âą2,721
$238āļŋ7,743
-81.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580âą35.5K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-29.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395âą24.2K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-23.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$229âą14.0K
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-84.95%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Cabanatuan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$206âą12.6K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-67.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.17
5
23.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cabanatuan: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $261 in Cabanatuan 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 209% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $36.00 in Cabanatuan versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $175 in Cabanatuan vs $243 in Chiang Mai â so Cabanatuan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Cabanatuan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Cabanatuan and Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $530 in Cabanatuan, $852 in Chiang Mai â roughly 61% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Cabanatuan compared to Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $795 per month in Cabanatuan and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Cabanatuan and Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cabanatuan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $36.00 in Cabanatuan and $19.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 39% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How far does $1,200 go in Cabanatuan vs Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $530 in Cabanatuan and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Cabanatuan and Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $530 in Cabanatuan to $852 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Cabanatuan or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Cabanatuan and Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Cabanatuan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Cabanatuan vs other spots: cost of living compared