Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and 'anjarah Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and 'anjarah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $429 in 'anjarah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $602 in 'anjarah, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $775 in 'anjarah, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 102% more than 'anjarah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and 'anjarah are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, 'anjarah 68% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$3.58 JOD 2.54

-45.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$2.18 JOD 1.54

-10.55%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.44 JOD 0.31

93.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$0.34 JOD 0.24

2.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.44 JOD 1.02

18.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.27 JOD 0.19

503.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$1.15 JOD 0.81

-0.87%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$1.44 JOD 1.02

34.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$5.77 JOD 4.09

180.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$11.38 JOD 8.06

-4.22%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$1.80 JOD 1.27

52.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$2.84 JOD 2.01

-57.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$1.45 JOD 1.02

11.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$0.70 JOD 0.49

127.14%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$1.08 JOD 0.76

29.63%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$0.36 JOD 0.26

83.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.57 JOD 0.41

-7.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$3.45 JOD 2.44

35.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.34 JOD 0.24

164.71%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.24 JOD 0.88

2.42%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.3K ฿694.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.2K ฿725.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$69.1 ฿2,256

$59.4 JOD 42.03

16.32%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.08 ฿460

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$45.17 JOD 31.97

-60.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$27.87 JOD 19.73

47.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$299 ฿9,766

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$140 JOD 98.7

206.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$112 JOD 79.4

111.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$211 JOD 150

279.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$186 JOD 132

176.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$333 JOD 236

493.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$281 JOD 199

424.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$916 JOD 648

-32.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for 'anjarah: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $140 in 'anjarah. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 48% higher in 'anjarah, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Chiang Mai vs 'anjarah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai, $429 in 'anjarah – roughly 102% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $643 in 'anjarah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in 'anjarah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $866 in Chiang Mai and $429 in 'anjarah. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 96% 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.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $429 in 'anjarah, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $429 in 'anjarah to $866 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with 'anjarah. 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.