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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $629 in Amwaj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,903 in Amwaj, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,177 in Amwaj, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 36% more than Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Amwaj are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Amwaj 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿63.6

$5.21 BHD 1.96

-62.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿611

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿258

$9.35 BHD 3.52

-15.29%

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.2

$2.68 BHD 1.01

-28.73%

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

$0.84 ฿27.25

$1.07 BHD 0.40

-21.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.44

$0.68 BHD 0.25

-48.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿71.7

$7.75 BHD 2.91

-71.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$10.40 BHD 3.91

-63.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.2

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿52.8

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.40

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿517

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.0

$9.93 BHD 3.73

-69.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿350

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.0

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.65

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.4

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿42.89

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.01

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.85

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿147

$5.37 BHD 2.02

-15.64%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿592

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿105

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿28.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿630

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿43.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿43.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿268

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.40

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

$21.2K ฿687.8K

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

$22.5K ฿731.0K

$37.6K BHD 14.1K

-40.24%

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

$70.2 ฿2,281

$160 BHD 60.1

-56.13%

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

$13.77 ฿448

$26.48 BHD 9.96

-48.00%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿572

$67.3 BHD 25.30

-73.84%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,352

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿215

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿188

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

$306 ฿9,953

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿482.0K

$13.1K BHD 4,908

13.59%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,768

$67.5 BHD 25.36

-19.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿850

$66.4 BHD 24.95

-60.60%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,748

$91.4 BHD 34.36

-7.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,257

$120 BHD 45.23

-42.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,743

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿26.8K

$2,434 BHD 915

-66.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.7K

$2,113 BHD 794

-75.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿66.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.6K

$4,025 BHD 1,514

-84.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.75

-13.04%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Last update for Amwaj: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 534% higher in Amwaj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Amwaj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 36% more than Amwaj, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $943 in Amwaj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $852 in Chiang Mai and $629 in Amwaj. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 390% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $629 in Amwaj, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Amwaj costs $629 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Amwaj. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.