Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and AL Kharj Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and AL Kharj

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $969 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,519 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,068 in AL Kharj, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 11% cheaper than AL Kharj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and AL Kharj are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, AL Kharj 28% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$6.47 SAR 24.27

-70.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$26.35 SAR 98.9

-29.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

$7.97 SAR 29.91

-1.88%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.77 SAR 6.64

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 SAR 5.13

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$2.48 SAR 9.31

-21.37%

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.75 SAR 2.83

13.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$0.13 SAR 0.47

169.23%

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

$1.63 SAR 6.10

4.91%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.28 SAR 1.06

482.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$2.37 SAR 8.89

-51.90%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$2.03 SAR 7.62

-4.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$8.31 SAR 31.20

95.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$4.92 SAR 18.46

-36.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$13.46 SAR 50.5

-19.02%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$1.98 SAR 7.43

38.89%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$1.23 SAR 4.60

-1.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$0.89 SAR 3.33

82.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$1.37 SAR 5.13

16.06%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$0.96 SAR 3.60

45.83%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$0.88 SAR 3.32

32.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$0.82 SAR 3.10

-19.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.56 SAR 2.10

-5.36%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.19 SAR 8.22

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 SAR 5.14

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 SAR 8.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$6.42 SAR 24.09

-26.95%

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

$1.06 SAR 3.96

-15.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$40.41 SAR 152

-52.46%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$2.69 SAR 10.11

-47.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$0.55 SAR 2.08

134.55%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$13.39 SAR 50.3

-41.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$0.59 SAR 2.20

115.25%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

$33.9K SAR 127.4K

-37.33%

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

$23.2K SAR 87.2K

-4.35%

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$106 SAR 398

-34.89%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$26.15 SAR 98.2

-46.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$51.2 SAR 192

-64.84%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$65.7 SAR 247

-37.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$40.52 SAR 152

-82.82%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$15.68 SAR 58.9

-62.24%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$178 SAR 668

67.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$3,778 SAR 14.2K

295.82%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$59.6 SAR 224

-8.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$53.7 SAR 202

-50.19%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$53.3 SAR 200

59.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$78.6 SAR 295

-10.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$637 SAR 2,391

-32.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$229 SAR 861

3.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$488 SAR 1,833

64.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$501 SAR 1,879

2.94%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$2,845 SAR 10.7K

-78.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

-5.84%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for AL Kharj: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $637 in AL Kharj. 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 361% higher in AL Kharj, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $26.00 in AL Kharj. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Chiang Mai vs $169 in AL Kharj – so AL Kharj 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 AL Kharj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai, $969 in AL Kharj – roughly 12% apart. AL Kharj 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 $1,454 in AL Kharj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $178 in AL Kharj. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 46% cheaper in AL Kharj – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in AL Kharj at $969. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in AL Kharj it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $866 in Chiang Mai to $969 in AL Kharj. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, AL Kharj makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.