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 $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $923 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,428 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,933 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 6% 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 35% lower, Bahia de Caraquez 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$3.57 $3.57

-44.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$47.74 $47.74

-60.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$8.19 $8.19

-5.37%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.63 $2.63

-27.00%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.91 $0.91

-13.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.62 $0.62

-41.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$2.93 $2.93

-24.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$4.38 $4.38

-16.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$1.10 $1.10

50.00%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$1.71 $1.71

-4.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.76 $1.76

-32.39%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$2.62 $2.62

-23.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$6.16 $6.16

159.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$5.34 $5.34

-43.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$6.10 $6.10

78.03%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$2.14 $2.14

28.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$1.08 $1.08

9.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$1.09 $1.09

50.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$1.08 $1.08

40.74%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$1.81 $1.81

-23.76%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$1.39 $1.39

-14.39%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.74 $0.74

-5.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$1.03 $1.03

-45.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$6.07 $6.07

-24.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$11.80 $11.80

40.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$1.55 $1.55

18.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$2.19 $2.19

46.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.36 $0.36

144.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$24.21 $24.21

-22.68%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$2.72 $2.72

-50.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.97 $0.97

38.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$9.98 $9.98

-21.44%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.63 $0.63

95.24%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$25.5K $25.5K

-15.18%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$29.4K $29.4K

-23.21%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$37.83 $37.83

86.47%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$13.42 $13.42

1.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$31.52 $31.52

-44.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$30.12 $30.12

37.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$14.42 $14.42

-51.73%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$7.83 $7.83

-26.31%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$310 $310

-1.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$5,896 $5,896

147.81%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$52.2 $52.2

6.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$42.68 $42.68

-38.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$105 $105

-18.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$110 $110

-34.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$337 $337

27.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$315 $315

-24.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$624 $624

31.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$492 $492

3.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$1,311 $1,311

51.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$864 $864

71.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Bahia de Caraquez: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $337 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 – $241 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: $869 in Chiang Mai, $923 in Bahia de Caraquez – roughly 6% apart. Bahia de Caraquez costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,385 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 $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $310 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 23% 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 $869 in Chiang Mai and $923 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 $869 in Chiang Mai to $923 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.