Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Aberdeen, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Aberdeen, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,969 in Aberdeen, WA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Chiang Mai versus $2,985 in Aberdeen, WA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,835 in Chiang Mai versus $4,001 in Aberdeen, WA.

Living in Chiang Mai costs roughly 56% less than in Aberdeen, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Chiang Mai is 35% below, Aberdeen, WA is 47% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94 ฿63.5
$20.71 $20.71
-90.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64 ฿609
$101 $101
-81.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.82 ฿255
$11.95 $11.95
-34.56%
Cappuccino
$1.95 ฿63.8
$4.89 $4.89
-60.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿27.77
$1.78 $1.78
-52.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.58
$2.47 $2.47
-85.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.13 ฿69.6
$6.07 $6.07
-64.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ฿122
$5.10 $5.10
-26.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.71 ฿56.0
$1.12 $1.12
52.68%
White Bread (500g)
$1.63 ฿53.2
$2.72 $2.72
-40.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.14 ฿37.15
$2.74 $2.74
-58.39%
Eggs
$1.93 ฿63.1
$5.00 $5.00
-61.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.21 ฿530
$10.13 $10.13
60.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.12 ฿102
$6.80 $6.80
-54.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 ฿356
$9.11 $9.11
19.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.75 ฿90.0
$5.26 $5.26
-47.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.21 ฿39.52
$1.88 $1.88
-35.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 ฿53.0
$5.63 $5.63
-71.23%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 ฿51.8
$5.99 $5.99
-73.46%
Potato (1kg)
$1.40 ฿45.70
$2.81 $2.81
-50.18%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 ฿38.17
$3.48 $3.48
-66.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 ฿21.60
$2.94 $2.94
-77.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.22
$1.88 $1.88
-71.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69 ฿153
$11.68 $11.68
-59.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.66 ฿609
$13.10 $13.10
42.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80 ฿58.8
$1.78 $1.78
1.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 ฿106
$2.52 $2.52
28.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.90 ฿29.26
$1.02 $1.02
-11.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.21 ฿628
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 ฿45.91
$5.61 $5.61
-74.87%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.29 ฿42.12
$0.78 $0.78
65.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.84 ฿256
$28.66 $28.66
-72.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 ฿41.58
$1.17 $1.17
8.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K ฿694.9K
$30.6K $30.6K
-30.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K ฿725.4K
$25.7K $25.7K
-13.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.1 ฿2,256
$159 $159
-56.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08 ฿460
$52.0 $52.0
-72.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00 ฿588
$71.3 $71.3
-74.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.06 ฿1,341
$30.86 $30.86
33.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96 ฿227
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92 ฿193
$5.05 $5.05
17.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$299 ฿9,766
$1,017 $1,017
-70.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.0K ฿488.3K
$30.6K $30.6K
-51.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7 ฿1,787
$45.29 $45.29
20.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77 ฿874
$28.66 $28.66
-6.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.0 ฿2,776
$64.7 $64.7
31.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6 ฿2,306
$115 $115
-38.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$428 ฿14.0K
$1,082 $1,082
-60.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$237 ฿7,752
$910 $910
-73.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ฿26.2K
$1,739 $1,739
-53.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$515 ฿16.8K
$1,380 $1,380
-62.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,975 ฿64.5K
$2,993 $2,993
-34.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,475 ฿48.2K
$2,936 $2,936
-49.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$617 ฿20.2K
$4,371 $4,371
-85.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
6.51
-23.20%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Aberdeen, WA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $428 in Chiang Mai and $1,082 in Aberdeen, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Aberdeen, WA pays 608% 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: $19.00 in Chiang Mai vs $101 in Aberdeen, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $246 vs $341 per month, with Chiang Mai 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
Chiang Mai vs Aberdeen, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen, WA cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 127% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Chiang Mai or Aberdeen, WA?
On paper, Aberdeen, WA earns 608% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Chiang Mai and Aberdeen, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $428 in Chiang Mai versus $1,082 in Aberdeen, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $299 in Chiang Mai versus $1,017 in Aberdeen, WA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Chiang Mai or Aberdeen, WA?
Dining out is cheaper in Chiang Mai – a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $101 in Aberdeen, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Chiang Mai or Aberdeen, WA?
At $866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,969 in Aberdeen, WA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Aberdeen, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Chiang Mai or Aberdeen, WA more family-friendly?
For families, Chiang Mai is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Aberdeen, WA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Aberdeen, WA?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Aberdeen, WA 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 127% less than in Aberdeen, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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