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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $245 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $417 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $590 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 287% more than Bakkafjordur, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chiang Mai and Bakkafjordur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Bakkafjordur 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿651

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿188

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.9

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

$0.71 ฿23.66

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.48

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿74.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿121

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿65.0

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.83

$2.26 ISK 273

-33.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿44.32

$2.25 ISK 273

-40.44%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.1

$4.90 ISK 593

-53.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿539

$8.69 ISK 1,053

87.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿98.0

$11.23 ISK 1,360

-73.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿330

$10.92 ISK 1,323

-8.97%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿85.3

$2.23 ISK 270

15.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.04

$2.22 ISK 269

-52.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.5

$2.25 ISK 273

-28.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿50.4

$2.16 ISK 262

-29.63%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿42.14

$2.25 ISK 273

-43.56%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.37

$2.25 ISK 273

-52.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.89

$1.01 ISK 122

-28.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.87

$1.99 ISK 241

-74.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿139

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿593

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿56.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿94.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.70

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,787

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.13

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿80.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.84

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

$21.4K ฿711.3K

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

$27.3K ฿906.7K

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

$63.7 ฿2,112

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

$12.85 ฿426

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿671

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,285

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿132

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿223

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

$778 ฿25.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿484.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,801

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿844

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,436

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,596

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿49.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

$5,847 ISK 708.6K

-89.70%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Last update for Bakkafjordur: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 871% higher in Bakkafjordur, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Bakkafjordur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 287% more than Bakkafjordur, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $367 in Bakkafjordur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $947 in Chiang Mai and $245 in Bakkafjordur. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bakkafjordur, where all-in costs run around $245, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Bakkafjordur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bakkafjordur costs $245 versus $947 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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