😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai versus $383 in Abohar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Chiang Mai versus $609 in Abohar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,835 in Chiang Mai versus $835 in Abohar.
😐Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 126% more expensive than Abohar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai35% lower, Abohar71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94฿63.6
$1.17₹112
65.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64฿609
$14.09₹1,348
32.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82฿256
$3.52₹337
122.16%
Cappuccino
$1.95฿63.9
$1.93₹185
1.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85฿27.80
$0.37₹35.23
129.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.60
$0.22₹21.09
59.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13฿69.7
$1.75₹168
21.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73฿122
$2.93₹280
27.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71฿56.0
$0.78₹74.7
119.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.3
$0.58₹55.3
181.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14฿37.18
$0.89₹85.5
28.09%
Eggs
$1.93฿63.2
$0.80₹77.0
141.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.21฿530
$4.03₹385
302.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12฿102
$2.99₹287
4.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90฿356
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.75฿90.1
$2.04₹196
34.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21฿39.56
$0.50₹47.79
142.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿53.0
$1.00₹95.8
62.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59฿51.9
$0.53₹50.3
200.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40฿45.75
$0.36₹34.67
288.89%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.20
$0.45₹42.73
160.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66฿21.62
$0.46₹43.93
43.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.24
$0.30₹29.04
76.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69฿153
$4.01₹383
16.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.66฿610
$9.69₹927
92.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80฿58.8
$1.67₹160
7.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$2.83₹271
14.13%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.04₹483
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90฿29.28
$0.30₹29.13
200.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.21฿628
$8.46₹810
127.07%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿45.96
$0.82₹78.9
71.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29฿42.16
$0.22₹20.92
486.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$1.32₹126
493.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.62
$1.19₹114
6.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K฿695.5K
$14.6K₹1.4M
45.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K฿726.1K
$22.9K₹2.2M
-2.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.1฿2,258
$48.31₹4,623
42.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08฿460
$2.41₹231
484.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00฿588
$5.71₹546
215.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.06฿1,342
$13.87₹1,328
196.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$7.20₹689
-3.33%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92฿193
$2.36₹225
150.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299฿9,775
$62.2₹5,950
380.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K฿488.8K
$1,180₹112.9K
1166.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7฿1,788
$22.05₹2,110
148.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77฿875
$20.23₹1,936
32.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.0฿2,778
$49.46₹4,733
71.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6฿2,308
$33.59₹3,214
110.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$428฿14.0K
$122₹11.7K
251.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237฿7,759
$76.1₹7,278
212.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$801฿26.2K
$279₹26.7K
187.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.9K
$182₹17.4K
183.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975฿64.5K
$844₹80.8K
133.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,475฿48.2K
$524₹50.2K
181.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Abohar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617฿20.2K
$773₹74.0K
-20.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8.3
-39.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Last update for Abohar: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $428 in Chiang Mai and $122 in Abohar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Abohar pays 25% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $19.00 in Chiang Mai vs $14.00 in Abohar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $246 vs $108 per month, with Abohar 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 Abohar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abohar cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Abohar is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 126% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Chiang Mai or Abohar?
On paper, Abohar earns 25% 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 Abohar?
Rent for a central apartment: $428 in Chiang Mai versus $122 in Abohar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Chiang Mai vs Abohar?
All in, you'll spend $866 per month in Chiang Mai versus $383 in Abohar – a 126% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Abohar runs roughly 127% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 enough for either Chiang Mai or Abohar?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Abohar gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Chiang Mai or Abohar more family-friendly?
For families, Abohar is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chiang Mai, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Abohar?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Abohar 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 Abohar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 126% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared