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 $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $957 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,461 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,965 in AL Kharj, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 1% cheaper than AL Kharj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and AL Kharj are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, AL Kharj 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

$4.86 SAR 18.27

-56.79%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

$26.27 SAR 98.7

-24.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$8.84 SAR 33.20

-34.50%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.02 SAR 7.60

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 SAR 5.12

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

$3.09 SAR 11.61

-40.78%

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

$0.78 ฿25.61

$0.90 SAR 3.39

-13.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

$0.13 SAR 0.50

138.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

$1.43 SAR 5.39

41.96%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

$0.28 SAR 1.06

471.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

$2.48 SAR 9.30

-42.74%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

$2.12 SAR 7.94

2.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

$9.49 SAR 35.64

67.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$5.20 SAR 19.53

-40.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$13.23 SAR 49.69

-25.40%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

$1.74 SAR 6.54

51.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

$1.35 SAR 5.09

-18.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

$1.22 SAR 4.57

33.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

$1.30 SAR 4.90

17.69%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

$1.06 SAR 3.97

16.98%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

$1.05 SAR 3.93

7.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

$0.54 SAR 2.04

37.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

$0.56 SAR 2.10

-10.71%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.09 SAR 7.85

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 SAR 3.96

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 SAR 9.64

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

$6.62 SAR 24.88

-35.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

$23.39 SAR 87.9

136.38%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

$2.60 SAR 9.76

-52.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

$0.51 SAR 1.93

3.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

$13.36 SAR 50.2

-82.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

$0.61 SAR 2.29

136.07%

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

$21.2K ฿700.2K

$36.1K SAR 135.7K

-41.33%

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

$27.3K ฿902.1K

$22.3K SAR 83.7K

22.48%

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

$64.9 ฿2,145

$95.9 SAR 360

-32.30%

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

$13.35 ฿441

$26.51 SAR 99.6

-49.64%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

$49.70 SAR 187

-58.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

$73.0 SAR 274

-44.61%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

$40.22 SAR 151

-90.18%

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

$13.56 SAR 50.9

-50.52%

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

$787 ฿26.0K

$285 SAR 1,071

176.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

$3,774 SAR 14.2K

300.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

$57.9 SAR 217

-2.83%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

$52.4 SAR 197

-52.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

$45.70 SAR 172

102.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

$79.3 SAR 298

-5.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

$698 SAR 2,620

-30.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

$264 SAR 990

8.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$592 SAR 2,222

53.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$460 SAR 1,729

15.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$2,845 SAR 10.7K

-78.73%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

5.54

0.54%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for AL Kharj: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $484 in Chiang Mai versus $698 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 370% 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $26.00 in AL Kharj. Groceries tell a different story – $242 in Chiang Mai vs $172 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: $950 in Chiang Mai, $957 in AL Kharj – roughly 1% apart. AL Kharj costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,436 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 $787 per month in Chiang Mai and $285 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 41% 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 $950, than in AL Kharj at $957. 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 $950 in Chiang Mai to $957 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.