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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai versus $999 in Apia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Chiang Mai versus $2,575 in Apia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,835 in Chiang Mai versus $4,152 in Apia.

Living in Chiang Mai costs roughly 13% less than in Apia, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 35% lower, Apia 25% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.9

$52.6 WST 144

-96.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿613

$35.09 WST 96.3

-46.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿257

$13.93 WST 38.23

-43.86%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿64.2

$2.50 WST 6.85

-22.00%

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

$0.85 ฿27.95

$2.09 WST 5.74

-59.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.66

$1.25 WST 3.44

-72.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿70.1

$4.39 WST 12.04

-51.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿123

$3.56 WST 9.78

4.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.3

$1.75 WST 4.79

-2.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.5

$0.78 WST 2.14

108.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.39

$1.75 WST 4.80

-34.86%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.5

$4.15 WST 11.38

-53.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿533

$0.85 WST 2.32

1807.06%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿103

$3.59 WST 9.86

-13.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿358

$8.25 WST 22.64

32.12%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.6

$5.07 WST 13.91

-45.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.78

$1.76 WST 4.83

-31.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.3

$1.81 WST 4.97

-10.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿52.2

$4.31 WST 11.82

-63.11%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.00

$3.52 WST 9.67

-60.23%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.41

$1.06 WST 2.90

10.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.74

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.33

$1.15 WST 3.16

-53.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿154

$6.14 WST 16.85

-23.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿613

$16.12 WST 44.23

15.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿59.2

$1.76 WST 4.84

2.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$3.61 WST 9.90

-10.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

$3.51 WST 9.63

-74.36%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿632

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿46.21

$5.27 WST 14.46

-73.24%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿258

$21.63 WST 59.4

-63.75%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.85

$1.06 WST 2.91

19.81%

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

$21.3K ฿699.4K

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

$22.2K ฿730.1K

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

$69.1 ฿2,270

$17.78 WST 48.78

288.47%

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

$14.08 ฿463

$17.72 WST 48.63

-20.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿592

$36.31 WST 99.6

-50.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,350

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿229

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿194

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

$299 ฿9,829

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿491.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,798

$50.2 WST 138

8.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿880

$40.75 WST 112

-34.31%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,793

$74.0 WST 203

14.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,320

$102 WST 279

-30.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,801

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

$1,849 WST 5,073

-72.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Apia: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $19.00 in Chiang Mai vs $35.00 in Apia. Groceries flip the comparison at $246 vs $234, with Apia 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 Apia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai wins on cost – living expenses run 15% lower than in Apia. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Chiang Mai the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $1,300 in Chiang Mai and $1,498 in Apia to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

All in, you'll spend $866 per month in Chiang Mai versus $999 in Apia – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Shoppers in Apia pay roughly 5% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Chiang Mai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both work as nomad bases, but Chiang Mai delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $866 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Chiang Mai hard to pass up.

Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Apia are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Apia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.