Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Aleppo Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Aleppo

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $861 in Chiang Mai versus $686 in Aleppo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,350 in Chiang Mai versus $1,119 in Aleppo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,838 in Chiang Mai versus $1,552 in Aleppo.

Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 26% more expensive than in Aleppo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 36% lower, Aleppo 49% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ฿65.9
$3.03 SYP 368
-35.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35 ฿617
$19.72 SYP 2,397
-6.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 ฿252
$2.46 SYP 299
204.07%
Cappuccino
$2.02 ฿67.8
$1.22 SYP 149
65.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿28.52
$1.33 SYP 162
-36.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿11.97
$0.56 SYP 67.7
-35.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.9
$8.68 SYP 1,055
-75.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ฿121
$1.28 SYP 156
180.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 ฿55.5
$0.95 SYP 116
73.68%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.7
$0.95 SYP 115
65.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 ฿40.05
$3.19 SYP 387
-62.70%
Eggs
$1.94 ฿65.1
$1.98 SYP 240
-2.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿545
$4.55 SYP 553
255.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.99 ฿101
$6.56 SYP 797
-54.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.94 ฿368
$20.92 SYP 2,542
-47.71%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 ฿91.2
$2.33 SYP 283
16.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.27
$2.39 SYP 290
-51.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.8
$2.28 SYP 277
-25.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 ฿54.0
$0.71 SYP 86.6
125.35%
Potato (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.56
$0.68 SYP 82.0
102.94%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.47
$1.09 SYP 132
10.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 ฿22.51
$0.31 SYP 38.23
116.13%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿18.74
$0.76 SYP 92.1
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64 ฿156
$3.18 SYP 387
45.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.62 ฿593
$4.76 SYP 579
270.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿62.6
$2.05 SYP 250
-9.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ฿111
$2.59 SYP 314
27.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.70
$0.15 SYP 18.49
486.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.34 ฿651
$3.06 SYP 371
532.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 ฿45.92
$2.76 SYP 335
-50.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿45.00
$1.94 SYP 236
-30.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.21 ฿276
$6.12 SYP 744
34.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ฿41.20
$1.37 SYP 167
-10.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿718.5K
$27.5K SYP 3.3M
-22.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K ฿758.1K
$38.9K SYP 4.7M
-42.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.7 ฿2,378
$60.5 SYP 7,353
16.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04 ฿472
$35.15 SYP 4,271
-60.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49 ฿589
$20.04 SYP 2,436
-12.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.15 ฿1,418
$15.17 SYP 1,843
177.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿231
$12.92 SYP 1,571
-46.75%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92 ฿199
$2.95 SYP 359
100.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$69.3 SYP 8,423
345.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K ฿500.7K
$3,094 SYP 375.9K
380.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,876
$24.01 SYP 2,918
132.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11 ฿879
$63.3 SYP 7,696
-58.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.0 ฿2,793
$112 SYP 13.6K
-25.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5 ฿2,371
$119 SYP 14.4K
-40.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$432 ฿14.5K
$90.6 SYP 11.0K
376.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$239 ฿8,040
$76.9 SYP 9,346
210.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 ฿27.7K
$188 SYP 22.8K
337.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$512 ฿17.2K
$158 SYP 19.2K
224.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,915 ฿64.4K
$801 SYP 97.4K
138.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,467 ฿49.4K
$293 SYP 35.6K
401.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Aleppo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$579 ฿19.5K
$64.2 SYP 7,802
802.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
0
-

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Aleppo: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $432 in Chiang Mai and $90.6 in Aleppo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chiang Mai pays 802% 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: $18.00 in Chiang Mai vs $20.00 in Aleppo. Groceries flip the comparison at $243 vs $227, with Aleppo cheaper for home cooking.

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 Aleppo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Chiang Mai and in Aleppo?
Chiang Mai and Aleppo differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($861 vs $686 including rent). Aleppo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Chiang Mai or Aleppo?
Average pay runs 802% higher in Chiang Mai, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Chiang Mai and in Aleppo?
Rent for a central apartment: $432 in Chiang Mai versus $90.6 in Aleppo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Chiang Mai or Aleppo?
All in, you'll spend $861 per month in Chiang Mai versus $686 in Aleppo – a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Aleppo?
A monthly transit pass in Aleppo runs roughly 532% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Chiang Mai compared to Aleppo?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Aleppo gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Chiang Mai and Aleppo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Chiang Mai or Aleppo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Aleppo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Chiang Mai or Aleppo?
Expats usually find Aleppo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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