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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $901 in Calarasi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,391 in Calarasi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,881 in Calarasi, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 5% more than Calarasi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Calarasi are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Calarasi 34% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.5

$7.66 RON 34.63

-72.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

$27.04 RON 122

-27.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

$8.11 RON 36.62

-30.33%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.3

$2.14 RON 9.69

-15.42%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 ฿23.44

$1.45 RON 6.54

-51.03%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$1.82 RON 8.23

-82.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.5

$1.07 RON 4.84

109.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

$1.51 RON 6.82

140.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$1.59 RON 7.20

23.27%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.38

$0.94 RON 4.26

59.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.92

$1.62 RON 7.30

-17.28%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.4

$2.99 RON 13.53

-24.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿534

$8.38 RON 37.85

94.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$4.31 RON 19.47

-31.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

$8.58 RON 38.76

15.85%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.5

$1.14 RON 5.16

125.44%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.72

$1.48 RON 6.69

-28.38%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$1.32 RON 5.95

21.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.96

$1.58 RON 7.13

-3.80%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.76

$0.42 RON 1.89

202.38%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.05

$0.64 RON 2.91

67.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.67

$0.45 RON 2.04

60.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$0.82 RON 3.69

-37.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

$6.73 RON 30.39

-37.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$4.32 RON 19.50

313.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$1.03 RON 4.67

64.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.2

$1.51 RON 6.82

88.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.42

$0.45 RON 2.04

106.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,770

$13.12 RON 59.3

310.52%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.58

$0.67 RON 3.04

83.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

$0.64 RON 2.89

-9.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

$6.78 RON 30.63

-64.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.42

$1.76 RON 7.93

-19.89%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.4K ฿704.9K

$29.7K RON 134.2K

-27.83%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K ฿898.5K

$26.6K RON 120.4K

2.58%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.7 ฿2,093

$165 RON 746

-61.42%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.85 ฿423

$6.77 RON 30.56

89.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

$6.93 RON 31.29

191.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$49.67 RON 224

-22.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

$55.7 RON 251

-92.87%

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿221

$8.95 RON 40.43

-24.69%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$778 ฿25.6K

$423 RON 1,909

84.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.2K

$6,032 RON 27.3K

142.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

$76.0 RON 344

-28.60%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿836

$22.21 RON 100

14.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,101

$96.2 RON 434

-1.91%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,414

$99.4 RON 449

-26.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

$330 RON 1,493

48.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,510

$201 RON 909

43.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

$448 RON 2,025

99.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

$336 RON 1,519

53.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

$1,240 RON 5,601

57.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.5K

$969 RON 4,378

52.42%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

$773 RON 3,493

-22.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

7.85

-29.04%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Last update for Calarasi: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $330 in Calarasi. 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 28% higher in Calarasi, 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 $27.00 in Calarasi. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $175 in Calarasi – so Calarasi wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Calarasi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $947 in Chiang Mai, $901 in Calarasi – roughly 5% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,352 in Calarasi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Calarasi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $778 per month in Chiang Mai and $423 in Calarasi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 37% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Calarasi, where all-in costs run around $901, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Calarasi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $901 in Calarasi to $947 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Calarasi. 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.