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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,063 in Arue.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Chiang Mai versus $1,551 in Arue.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,835 in Chiang Mai versus $2,039 in Arue.

Living in Chiang Mai costs roughly 18% less than in Arue, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 35% lower, Arue 21% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿256

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.9

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

$0.85 ฿27.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.60

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.40 CFPF 143

22.14%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.3

$4.96 CFPF 508

-67.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.18

$3.82 CFPF 392

-70.16%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.2

$11.58 CFPF 1,187

-83.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$57.7 CFPF 5,916

-71.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$27.32 CFPF 2,800

-88.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$24.66 CFPF 2,528

-55.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.1

$5.27 CFPF 541

-47.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.56

$2.97 CFPF 305

-59.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$7.99 CFPF 819

-79.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.9

$8.66 CFPF 888

-81.64%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.75

$4.34 CFPF 445

-67.74%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.20

$2.89 CFPF 296

-59.52%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.62

$3.80 CFPF 390

-82.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.24

$1.48 CFPF 151

-64.19%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$12.07 CFPF 1,237

-61.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿610

$29.51 CFPF 3,025

-36.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$2.95 CFPF 302

-38.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$7.99 CFPF 819

-59.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.28

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.16

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.62

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

$21.3K ฿695.5K

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

$22.2K ฿726.1K

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

$69.1 ฿2,258

$167 CFPF 17.1K

-58.69%

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

$14.08 ฿460

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$124 CFPF 12.7K

-85.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,342

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

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

$299 ฿9,775

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,788

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿875

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,778

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,308

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,759

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

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 Arue: May 31, 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 Arue: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai wins on cost – living expenses run 23% lower than in Arue. 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 $1,594 in Arue 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 212% higher in Arue. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $866 per month in Chiang Mai versus $1,063 in Arue – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 Arue 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 23% less than in Arue. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.