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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $656 in Berrechid, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,018 in Berrechid, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,380 in Berrechid, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 42% more than Berrechid, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Berrechid are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Berrechid 52% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08 ฿69.2
$3.76 MAD 35.71
-44.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61 ฿652
$15.99 MAD 152
22.64%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.67 ฿189
$6.27 MAD 59.6
-9.57%
Cappuccino
$1.81 ฿60.0
$1.55 MAD 14.74
16.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 ฿25.55
$0.48 MAD 4.61
60.42%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.48
$0.31 MAD 2.94
12.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.21 ฿73.6
$4.08 MAD 38.77
-45.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 ฿126
$3.59 MAD 34.14
5.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.05 ฿68.1
$0.79 MAD 7.47
159.49%
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 ฿50.4
$0.33 MAD 3.15
357.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 ฿46.51
$1.36 MAD 12.89
2.94%
Eggs
$2.26 ฿75.1
$1.96 MAD 18.68
15.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿538
$7.93 MAD 75.4
104.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.90 ฿96.3
$5.50 MAD 52.3
-47.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.42 ฿313
$11.85 MAD 113
-20.51%
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 ฿89.1
$1.36 MAD 12.91
97.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.23
$1.29 MAD 12.31
-15.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 ฿53.8
$0.85 MAD 8.11
90.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.55
$0.60 MAD 5.71
143.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿42.48
$0.64 MAD 6.10
100.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ฿35.17
$0.61 MAD 5.77
73.77%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ฿23.85
$0.23 MAD 2.17
213.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.49
$0.56 MAD 5.36
-5.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23 ฿141
$4.29 MAD 40.77
-1.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.29 ฿608
$7.78 MAD 73.9
135.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 ฿54.2
$2.31 MAD 21.96
-29.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 ฿96.5
$2.09 MAD 19.87
38.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.20
$0.68 MAD 6.46
29.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 ฿1,788
$26.04 MAD 248
106.49%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ฿38.99
$0.87 MAD 8.23
34.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.58 ฿19.22
$0.62 MAD 5.87
-6.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.39 ฿79.3
$6.57 MAD 62.5
-63.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.22
$1.43 MAD 13.56
1.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿698.6K
$34.6K MAD 328.6K
-39.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K ฿878.6K
$28.9K MAD 274.5K
-8.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.7 ฿2,116
$27.94 MAD 266
127.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89 ฿429
$9.40 MAD 89.4
37.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52 ฿682
$37.08 MAD 353
-44.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.02 ฿1,297
$24.02 MAD 228
62.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92 ฿130
$21.04 MAD 200
-81.37%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58 ฿219
$6.77 MAD 64.3
-2.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$784 ฿26.1K
$103 MAD 981
659.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿487.9K
$2,557 MAD 24.3K
473.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 ฿1,833
$29.02 MAD 276
89.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74 ฿823
$46.21 MAD 439
-46.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 ฿3,130
$57.8 MAD 549
62.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0 ฿2,459
$74.5 MAD 708
-0.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$490 ฿16.3K
$151 MAD 1,438
224.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$288 ฿9,582
$137 MAD 1,301
110.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$891 ฿29.6K
$315 MAD 2,994
183.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$521 ฿17.3K
$247 MAD 2,349
110.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,974 ฿65.6K
$686 MAD 6,523
187.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,444 ฿48.0K
$829 MAD 7,882
74.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Berrechid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$602 ฿20.0K
$656 MAD 6,241
-8.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
4.5
23.78%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Berrechid: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $151 in Berrechid. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 9% higher in Berrechid, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $16.00 in Berrechid. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $174 – making Berrechid the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Berrechid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berrechid cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Yes – Chiang Mai is pricier by about 42%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $984 in Berrechid. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Berrechid, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $103 in Berrechid. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Chiang Mai and in Berrechid?
Groceries cost about 38% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Chiang Mai or in Berrechid?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Berrechid, where all-in costs run around $656, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Berrechid it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Chiang Mai or Berrechid more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Berrechid – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Berrechid?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Berrechid. 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.

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