Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Bilaspur

For one person, living is cheaper in Bilaspur: $364 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $6,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bilaspur, India
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Bilaspur
🇮🇳 India
$364
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Bilaspur

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Bilaspur actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $364 in Bilaspur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Bilaspur $364

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $589 in Bilaspur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Bilaspur $589

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $814 in Bilaspur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Bilaspur $814

Chiang Mai costs about 157% more than Bilaspur, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Bilaspur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Bilaspur 73% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.4
$2.07 ₹195
2.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿623
$12.66 ₹1,196
47.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿187
$4.89 ₹462
14.52%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.6
$1.35 ₹128
22.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.63
$0.37 ₹35.32
75.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.20
$0.15 ₹13.93
100.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿77.7
$1.77 ₹167
31.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$2.91 ₹274
26.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿67.4
$0.51 ₹48.45
296.08%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.08
$0.48 ₹45.60
193.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.54
$0.68 ₹63.9
104.41%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.2
$0.87 ₹81.9
172.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿552
$4.57 ₹431
261.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿89.3
$2.82 ₹267
-5.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿302
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.2
$1.93 ₹182
24.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿34.82
$0.64 ₹60.2
62.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿55.5
$0.95 ₹89.9
74.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.1
$0.48 ₹45.54
225.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.39
$0.35 ₹33.18
254.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.34
$0.46 ₹43.56
136.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.47
$0.46 ₹43.54
65.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.19
$0.29 ₹27.14
75.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿138
$4.90 ₹462
-15.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿600
$7.26 ₹686
146.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.3
$1.60 ₹151
1.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿94.4
$2.59 ₹244
8.88%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$4.92 ₹464
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.25
$0.21 ₹19.75
342.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,769
$7.25 ₹685
629.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.35
$0.86 ₹81.7
37.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.73
$0.25 ₹23.48
-32.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿60.6
$1.61 ₹152
12.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.25
$1.00 ₹94.9
47.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿702.6K
$11.4K ₹1.1M
83.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿886.7K
$19.6K ₹1.9M
35.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,092
$34.52 ₹3,261
81.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿388
$3.35 ₹316
246.27%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿679
$6.43 ₹608
215.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,267
$14.35 ₹1,356
163.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿124
$6.54 ₹618
-43.43%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿218
$2.84 ₹268
129.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.3K
$45.20 ₹4,270
1508.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿554.2K
$1,434 ₹135.5K
1055.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,790
$21.84 ₹2,063
145.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿829
$23.28 ₹2,199
6.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,023
$38.42 ₹3,629
135.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,407
$29.03 ₹2,743
147.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.1K
$122 ₹11.6K
293.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.4K
$76.5 ₹7,227
305.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.4K
$271 ₹25.6K
290.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.0K
$188 ₹17.8K
249.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿80.8K
$913 ₹86.3K
164.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿53.8K
$532 ₹50.3K
202.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Bilaspur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿19.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
8.86
-37.13%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Bilaspur: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Bilaspur
$77 75.3% $233
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Bilaspur
$99 58.3% $138
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Bilaspur
$51 53.2% $58
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Bilaspur
$44 53.1% $50
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Bilaspur
$64 16.2% $12
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Bilaspur
$10 82.6% $48
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Bilaspur
$20 60.6% $31

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $122 in Bilaspur. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $13 in Bilaspur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $99 – making Bilaspur the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇮🇳 Bilaspur
🕒 Local time
19:26 7:26 PM
17:56 5:56 PM
1 h 30 min behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
115,000
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 33.44 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.56 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 94.47 INR (100 INR = 1.06 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Bilaspur 2,630 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Bilaspur

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Bilaspur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Bilaspur?
Chiang Mai costs about 157% more than Bilaspur, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai and in Bilaspur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $547 in Bilaspur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Bilaspur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bilaspur, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $122 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Bilaspur?
Groceries cost about 140% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Bilaspur?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai and $13 in Bilaspur. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Bilaspur?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Bilaspur, where all-in costs run around $364, than in Chiang Mai at $935. In Bilaspur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Bilaspur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Bilaspur is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 61% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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