😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $947 in Chiang Mai versus $130 in Bascharage.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,411 in Chiang Mai versus $397 in Bascharage.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,874 in Chiang Mai versus $665 in Bascharage.
🌍Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 630% more expensive than in Bascharage, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai31% lower, Bascharage91% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08฿68.5
$11.53€9.92
-81.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.64฿646
$82.2€70.8
-76.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.65฿186
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.81฿59.3
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71฿23.44
$2.93€2.52
-75.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32฿10.38
$5.84€5.03
-94.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24฿73.5
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63฿119
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.96฿64.4
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.50฿49.38
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34฿43.92
-
-
Eggs
$2.26฿74.4
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.26฿534
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.95฿97.1
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.94฿327
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.57฿84.5
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.06฿34.72
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61฿53.0
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.96
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.27฿41.76
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.07฿35.05
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72฿23.67
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51฿16.72
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19฿138
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.87฿587
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69฿55.7
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84฿93.2
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93฿30.42
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$53.9฿1,770
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.23฿40.58
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58฿18.96
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.42฿79.7
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.41฿46.42
$1.95€1.67
-27.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿704.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K฿898.5K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.7฿2,093
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.85฿423
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.22฿665
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.74฿1,274
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.97฿130
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.74฿221
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$778฿25.6K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿480.2K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.3฿1,785
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.45฿836
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.3฿3,101
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.4฿2,414
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490฿16.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$289฿9,510
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$894฿29.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$517฿17.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,955฿64.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,477฿48.5K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Bascharage
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602฿19.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Last update for Bascharage: September 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $20.00 in Chiang Mai vs $82.0 in Bascharage for two.
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 Bascharage: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bascharage cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Bascharage is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 630% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,421 in Chiang Mai and $195 in Bascharage 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.
Is eating out cheaper in Chiang Mai or in Bascharage?
Dining out is cheaper in Bascharage – a meal for two runs $82.0 versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Chiang Mai and in Bascharage?
All in, you'll spend $947 per month in Chiang Mai versus $130 in Bascharage – a 630% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Chiang Mai or in Bascharage?
At $130 in Bascharage versus $947 in Chiang Mai, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Bascharage but tight or insufficient in Chiang Mai. The gap between the two cities makes Bascharage the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Chiang Mai or Bascharage more family-friendly?
For families, Bascharage is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chiang Mai, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Bascharage?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Bascharage are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Bascharage gentler on the wallet – expenses run 630% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared