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 $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $243 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $415 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $587 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 256% more than Bakkafjordur, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chiang Mai and Bakkafjordur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Bakkafjordur 82% 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

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.3

$2.18 ISK 269

-25.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.18

$2.22 ISK 273

-48.65%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.2

$4.67 ISK 575

-58.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$8.77 ISK 1,080

84.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$11.20 ISK 1,379

-72.14%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$10.98 ISK 1,353

-0.73%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.1

$2.17 ISK 267

26.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.56

$2.26 ISK 278

-46.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$2.16 ISK 266

-25.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.9

$2.16 ISK 266

-26.39%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.75

$2.23 ISK 275

-37.22%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.20

$2.18 ISK 269

-46.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.62

$1.01 ISK 125

-34.65%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.24

$1.98 ISK 244

-73.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿610

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

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

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

$14.08 ฿460

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

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

$5,902 ISK 726.8K

-89.54%

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 Bakkafjordur: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 856% 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 256% 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 $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $365 in Bakkafjordur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $866 in Chiang Mai and $243 in Bakkafjordur. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chiang Mai – 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 $866 in Chiang Mai and $243 in Bakkafjordur, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bakkafjordur costs $243 versus $866 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.