ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,059 in Adiyaman, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,684 in Adiyaman, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,309 in Adiyaman, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 20% cheaper than Adiyaman, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Adiyaman are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Adiyaman21% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$7.55âš341
-74.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$34.24âš1,546
-45.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$7.68âš347
3.13%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$2.66âš120
-28.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$1.69âš76.1
-50.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.52âš23.45
-32.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$4.01âš181
-44.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.97âš134
27.95%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.87âš39.08
88.51%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.61âš27.74
165.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$2.70âš122
-56.30%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.71âš77.3
17.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$11.19âš505
42.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$5.04âš228
-40.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$19.65âš887
-45.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.30âš58.5
100.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$2.21âš100.0
-44.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.04âš46.93
63.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$1.64âš74.2
-3.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.75âš33.84
76.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.52âš23.51
125.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.21âš54.7
-44.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.22âš10.00
154.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$2.13âš96.1
112.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$5.52âš249
229.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.89âš85.1
-3.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.44âš110
32.38%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.68âš30.77
30.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$29.88âš1,349
-35.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.75âš33.76
80.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.66âš29.86
104.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$9.99âš451
-17.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.26âš57.0
0.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$22.1Kâš997.1K
-4.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$43.9Kâš2.0M
-48.79%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$40.63âš1,834
72.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$9.29âš419
48.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$8.64âš390
103.70%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$43.90âš1,982
-5.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$7.24âš327
-20.17%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$611âš27.6K
-49.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$10.3Kâš463.4K
44.42%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$37.57âš1,696
44.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$51.5âš2,323
-49.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$116âš5,234
-27.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$127âš5,726
-45.26%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$523âš23.6K
-19.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$387âš17.4K
-38.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$887âš40.0K
-6.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$718âš32.4K
-28.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$1,437âš64.9K
42.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$869âš39.2K
75.20%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Adiyaman
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
37.2
-86.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Adiyaman: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $523 in Adiyaman. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $34.00 in Adiyaman. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $219 in Adiyaman â so Adiyaman 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
Chiang Mai vs Adiyaman: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chiang Mai and Adiyaman compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $852 in Chiang Mai, $1,059 in Adiyaman â roughly 24% apart. Adiyaman costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chiang Mai compared to Adiyaman?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,589 in Adiyaman. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chiang Mai and Adiyaman?
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 commuting costs compare in Chiang Mai and Adiyaman?
Public transport costs about 54% less in Chiang Mai. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Chiang Mai and Adiyaman?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $611 in Adiyaman. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Adiyaman at $1,059. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adiyaman it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chiang Mai and Adiyaman?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $852 in Chiang Mai to $1,059 in Adiyaman. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Chiang Mai or Adiyaman 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 Chiang Mai and Adiyaman?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adiyaman makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared