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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $852 in Chiang Mai versus $315 in Artigas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,360 in Chiang Mai versus $367 in Artigas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,867 in Chiang Mai versus $419 in Artigas.

Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 171% more expensive than in Artigas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 36% lower, Artigas 76% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ฿68.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.71 ฿624

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 ฿262

Cappuccino

$2.03 ฿67.7

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

$0.80 ฿26.64

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 ฿57.6

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.20 ฿39.99

Eggs

$1.97 ฿65.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.23 ฿541

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.06 ฿102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.80 ฿360

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 ฿92.3

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.94

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 ฿57.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿53.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.51

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 ฿38.56

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿22.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ฿17.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.65 ฿155

Wine (Bottle)

$17.78 ฿593

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 ฿59.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 ฿111

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 ฿30.27

$1.21 UYU 48.59

-24.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.64 ฿622

$43.86 UYU 1,763

-57.50%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿47.04

$1.43 UYU 57.4

-1.40%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.70

$1.50 UYU 60.2

-10.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.11 ฿270

$10.87 UYU 437

-25.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿41.16

$2.42 UYU 97.2

-49.17%

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

$21.4K ฿715.1K

$38.5K UYU 1.5M

-44.38%

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

$21.8K ฿728.0K

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

-44.74%

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

$71.3 ฿2,379

$172 UYU 6,917

-58.54%

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

$14.01 ฿467

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.93 ฿598

$39.44 UYU 1,585

-54.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.82 ฿1,362

$28.86 UYU 1,160

41.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿230

Cinema Ticket

$5.72 ฿191

$8.32 UYU 334

-31.25%

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

$308 ฿10.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,860

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.04 ฿869

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 ฿2,829

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 ฿2,368

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$423 ฿14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$242 ฿8,088

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 ฿26.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 ฿16.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,918 ฿64.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,464 ฿48.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿19.9K

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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Artigas: July 27, 2026

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 Artigas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Artigas wins on cost – living expenses run 171% lower than in Chiang Mai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Artigas the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $1,279 in Chiang Mai and $473 in Artigas 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.

A monthly transit pass in Artigas runs roughly 135% less than in Chiang Mai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

All in, you'll spend $852 per month in Chiang Mai versus $315 in Artigas – a 171% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Artigas 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 Artigas delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $315 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Artigas hard to pass up.

Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Artigas 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 Artigas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 171% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.