🙂A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,113 in Boroko, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,551 in Boroko, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,990 in Boroko, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 23% cheaper than Boroko, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Boroko are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Boroko17% lower.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96฿64.0
$7.87PGK 34.16
-75.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81฿615
$38.12PGK 165
-50.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92฿259
$5.88PGK 25.54
34.69%
Cappuccino
$1.91฿62.6
$2.23PGK 9.67
-14.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84฿27.41
$0.76PGK 3.28
10.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.51
$0.85PGK 3.71
-58.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$2.35PGK 10.21
-5.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80฿124
$3.99PGK 17.31
-4.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64฿53.5
$1.67PGK 7.25
-1.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62฿53.1
$1.29PGK 5.60
25.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18฿38.62
$1.28PGK 5.54
-7.81%
Eggs
$2.01฿65.8
$3.78PGK 16.42
-46.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89฿520
$4.48PGK 19.44
254.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01฿98.5
$6.26PGK 27.19
-51.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77฿352
$6.94PGK 30.12
55.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61฿85.5
$4.03PGK 17.50
-35.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22฿39.88
$2.96PGK 12.87
-58.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70฿55.7
$3.01PGK 13.06
-43.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58฿51.5
$2.95PGK 12.80
-46.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32฿43.14
$3.09PGK 13.40
-57.28%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.23
$0.92PGK 3.98
27.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67฿21.98
$1.18PGK 5.10
-43.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.32
$0.49PGK 2.13
14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53฿148
$6.07PGK 26.34
-25.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20฿595
$5.13PGK 22.28
254.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿60.0
$1.22PGK 5.28
50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$1.65PGK 7.18
95.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89฿29.00
$0.47PGK 2.03
89.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38฿634
$31.71PGK 138
-38.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35฿44.20
$4.72PGK 20.49
-71.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35฿44.05
$1.46PGK 6.32
-7.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25฿270
$12.11PGK 52.6
-31.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.64
$0.81PGK 3.50
56.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K฿691.8K
$22.9KPGK 99.6K
-7.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿735.3K
$25.1KPGK 109.0K
-10.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2฿2,294
$66.9PGK 290
4.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77฿450
$48.14PGK 209
-71.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60฿575
$244PGK 1,061
-92.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57฿1,360
$46.12PGK 200
-9.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60฿216
$15.32PGK 66.5
-56.92%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78฿189
$7.41PGK 32.15
-22.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306฿10.0K
$356PGK 1,543
-13.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K฿484.8K
$2,352PGK 10.2K
530.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4฿1,778
$31.23PGK 136
74.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14฿855
$14.33PGK 62.2
82.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5฿2,764
$48.29PGK 210
75.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4฿2,270
$28.30PGK 123
145.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424฿13.9K
$3,535PGK 15.3K
-88.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238฿7,788
$243PGK 1,054
-1.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825฿27.0K
$3,574PGK 15.5K
-76.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.8K
$241PGK 1,045
114.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049฿67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523฿49.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Boroko
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635฿20.8K
$363PGK 1,575
75.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
11
-54.55%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Última actualización para Boroko: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $3,535 in Boroko. 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 75% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $38.00 in Boroko. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $222 in Boroko – so Boroko wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Chiang Mai vs Boroko: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Boroko?
Boroko costs about 31% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 vs Boroko?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,669 in Boroko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Boroko?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Boroko?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $356 in Boroko. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Boroko?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Boroko – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Boroko?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Boroko at $1,113. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Boroko it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Boroko?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,113 in Boroko. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Boroko?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Boroko?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Boroko makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado