๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,213 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Chiang Mai versus $1,820 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,835 in Chiang Mai versus $2,427 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Living in Chiang Mai costs roughly 29% less than in Beliลกฤe, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai35% lower, Beliลกฤe9% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94เธฟ63.5
$8.27โฌ7.11
-76.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64เธฟ609
$40.47โฌ34.81
-53.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82เธฟ255
$6.92โฌ5.95
13.01%
Cappuccino
$1.95เธฟ63.8
$2.14โฌ1.84
-8.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85เธฟ27.77
$2.26โฌ1.95
-62.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35เธฟ11.58
$2.09โฌ1.79
-83.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13เธฟ69.6
$2.35โฌ2.02
-9.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73เธฟ122
$2.37โฌ2.04
57.38%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71เธฟ56.0
$0.91โฌ0.78
87.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63เธฟ53.2
$0.66โฌ0.57
146.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14เธฟ37.15
$2.82โฌ2.43
-59.57%
Eggs
$1.93เธฟ63.1
$3.14โฌ2.70
-38.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.21เธฟ530
$10.84โฌ9.32
49.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12เธฟ102
$7.65โฌ6.58
-59.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90เธฟ356
$11.29โฌ9.71
-3.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.75เธฟ90.0
$1.18โฌ1.02
133.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21เธฟ39.52
$1.37โฌ1.18
-11.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62เธฟ53.0
$1.60โฌ1.38
1.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59เธฟ51.8
$2.52โฌ2.17
-36.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40เธฟ45.70
$0.91โฌ0.78
53.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ38.17
$1.22โฌ1.05
-4.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66เธฟ21.60
$1.22โฌ1.05
-45.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53เธฟ17.22
$0.95โฌ0.82
-44.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69เธฟ153
$5.67โฌ4.88
-17.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.66เธฟ609
$7.77โฌ6.69
140.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80เธฟ58.8
$1.19โฌ1.02
51.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23เธฟ106
$2.02โฌ1.74
59.90%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90เธฟ29.26
$1.69โฌ1.46
-46.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.21เธฟ628
$42.34โฌ36.42
-54.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41เธฟ45.91
$3.81โฌ3.28
-62.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29เธฟ42.12
$1.10โฌ0.95
17.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84เธฟ256
$5.71โฌ4.91
37.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27เธฟ41.58
$1.66โฌ1.42
-23.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kเธฟ694.9K
$32.6Kโฌ28.0K
-34.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2Kเธฟ725.4K
$26.5Kโฌ22.8K
-16.22%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.1เธฟ2,256
$124โฌ107
-44.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08เธฟ460
$18.07โฌ15.54
-22.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00เธฟ588
$26.21โฌ22.55
-31.32%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.06เธฟ1,341
$25.53โฌ21.96
60.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96เธฟ227
$14.98โฌ12.88
-53.54%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92เธฟ193
$5.26โฌ4.53
12.55%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299เธฟ9,766
$345โฌ297
-13.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0Kเธฟ488.3K
$2,799โฌ2,407
434.26%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7เธฟ1,787
$123โฌ106
-55.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77เธฟ874
$43.74โฌ37.62
-38.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.0เธฟ2,776
$46.48โฌ39.98
82.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6เธฟ2,306
$57.4โฌ49.33
23.10%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$428เธฟ14.0K
$191โฌ164
124.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237เธฟ7,752
$464โฌ399
-48.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$801เธฟ26.2K
$347โฌ298
131.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515เธฟ16.8K
$771โฌ663
-33.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975เธฟ64.5K
$4,078โฌ3,508
-51.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,475เธฟ48.2K
$1,241โฌ1,067
18.89%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617เธฟ20.2K
$1,884โฌ1,621
-67.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.2
56.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Last update for Beliลกฤe: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $428 in Chiang Mai and $191 in Beliลกฤe. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐBeliลกฤe pays 205% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $19.00 in Chiang Mai vs $40.00 in Beliลกฤe. Groceries flip the comparison at $246 vs $224, with Beliลกฤe cheaper for home cooking.
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 Beliลกฤe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe?
Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($866 vs $1,213 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Beliลกฤe earns 205% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe?
Rent for a central apartment: $428 in Chiang Mai versus $191 in Beliลกฤe. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe?
Childcare runs $299 in Chiang Mai versus $345 in Beliลกฤe. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Beliลกฤe pay roughly 10% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How far does $800 go in Chiang Mai vs Beliลกฤe?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Chiang Mai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Chiang Mai or Beliลกฤe safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Beliลกฤe are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Chiang Mai or Beliลกฤe?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 40% less than in Beliลกฤe. 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