Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Bahia de Caraquez Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Bahia de Caraquez

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $942 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,457 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,971 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 10% cheaper than Bahia de Caraquez, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Bahia de Caraquez are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Bahia de Caraquez 30% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿64.0

$3.42 $3.42

-42.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$47.84 $47.84

-60.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

$8.09 $8.09

-2.10%

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$2.63 $2.63

-27.38%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$0.85 $0.85

-1.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

$0.63 $0.63

-44.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$2.96 $2.96

-25.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$4.62 $4.62

-17.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$1.13 $1.13

45.13%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$1.72 $1.72

-5.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$1.76 $1.76

-32.95%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$2.50 $2.50

-19.60%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$6.18 $6.18

157.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

$5.16 $5.16

-41.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$6.42 $6.42

67.76%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

$2.13 $2.13

22.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

$1.06 $1.06

15.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

$1.10 $1.10

54.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

$1.08 $1.08

46.30%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

$1.89 $1.89

-30.16%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

$1.45 $1.45

-19.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

$0.68 $0.68

-1.47%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

$0.98 $0.98

-42.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$5.87 $5.87

-22.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

$11.86 $11.86

53.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

$1.63 $1.63

12.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$2.13 $2.13

51.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿29.00

$0.36 $0.36

147.22%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

$23.80 $23.80

-18.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$2.81 $2.81

-51.96%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

$1.02 $1.02

32.35%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

$10.05 $10.05

-17.91%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$0.67 $0.67

89.55%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

$25.4K $25.4K

-16.80%

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

$28.8K $28.8K

-21.94%

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

$38.08 $38.08

84.22%

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

$13.77 ฿450

$13.81 $13.81

-0.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$31.69 $31.69

-44.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$29.99 $29.99

38.61%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$14.69 $14.69

-55.07%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$7.81 $7.81

-25.99%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

$317 $317

-3.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

$5,931 $5,931

149.96%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

$53.1 $53.1

2.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

$43.91 $43.91

-40.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

$104 $104

-19.04%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

$112 $112

-37.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$342 $342

23.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$311 $311

-23.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$631 $631

30.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$499 $499

3.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$1,320 $1,320

55.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$933 $933

63.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.35

-46.52%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Last update for Bahia de Caraquez: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $342 in Bahia de Caraquez. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $48.00 in Bahia de Caraquez. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $195 in Bahia de Caraquez – so Bahia de Caraquez wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Bahia de Caraquez: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $852 in Chiang Mai, $942 in Bahia de Caraquez – roughly 11% apart. Bahia de Caraquez costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,413 in Bahia de Caraquez. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $317 in Bahia de Caraquez. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Bahia de Caraquez – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $942 in Bahia de Caraquez, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Bahia de Caraquez has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $852 in Chiang Mai to $942 in Bahia de Caraquez. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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