Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Campina Grande Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Campina Grande

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $932 in Chiang Mai versus $750 in Campina Grande.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,399 in Chiang Mai versus $1,161 in Campina Grande.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,866 in Chiang Mai versus $1,573 in Campina Grande.

Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 24% more expensive than in Campina Grande, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 32% lower, Campina Grande 45% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08 ฿69.2
$4.25 R$21.72
-51.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61 ฿652
$29.44 R$150
-33.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.67 ฿188
$6.86 R$35.06
-17.35%
Cappuccino
$1.81 ฿60.0
$1.00 R$5.14
81.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 ฿25.52
$1.03 R$5.25
-25.24%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.47
$0.57 R$2.93
-38.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.21 ฿73.5
$1.58 R$8.06
39.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 ฿126
$2.18 R$11.16
73.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.05 ฿68.0
$1.14 R$5.83
79.82%
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 ฿50.3
$1.64 R$8.36
-7.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 ฿46.47
$1.08 R$5.54
29.63%
Eggs
$2.26 ฿75.0
$1.80 R$9.18
25.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿538
$6.54 R$33.45
147.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.90 ฿96.2
$4.14 R$21.18
-29.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.42 ฿313
$7.73 R$39.49
21.86%
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 ฿89.0
$1.39 R$7.10
92.81%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.20
$1.29 R$6.59
-15.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 ฿53.7
$0.77 R$3.93
110.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.51
$1.24 R$6.36
17.74%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿42.45
$1.20 R$6.12
6.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ฿35.14
$1.08 R$5.54
-1.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ฿23.83
$0.47 R$2.39
53.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.48
$0.68 R$3.47
-22.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23 ฿140
$1.72 R$8.77
145.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.29 ฿608
$8.01 R$40.96
128.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 ฿54.2
$1.15 R$5.88
41.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 ฿96.4
$1.50 R$7.65
93.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.17
$0.93 R$4.77
-5.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 ฿1,786
$39.07 R$200
37.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ฿38.96
$0.86 R$4.39
36.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.58 ฿19.21
$0.72 R$3.68
-19.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.39 ฿79.2
$3.35 R$17.14
-28.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.17
$1.23 R$6.28
17.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿698.0K
$18.7K R$95.8K
12.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K ฿877.8K
$31.7K R$162.1K
-16.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.7 ฿2,114
$111 R$566
-42.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89 ฿428
$9.49 R$48.49
35.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52 ฿682
$17.37 R$88.8
18.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.02 ฿1,296
$18.55 R$94.8
110.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92 ฿130
$28.79 R$147
-86.38%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58 ฿219
$4.74 R$24.22
38.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$784 ฿26.0K
$82.0 R$419
856.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿487.4K
$11.4K R$58.4K
28.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 ฿1,831
$35.91 R$184
53.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74 ฿822
$26.82 R$137
-7.76%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 ฿3,127
$69.6 R$356
35.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0 ฿2,457
$41.84 R$214
76.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$490 ฿16.3K
$258 R$1,317
90.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$288 ฿9,574
$191 R$974
51.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$891 ฿29.6K
$585 R$2,991
52.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$521 ฿17.3K
$348 R$1,777
49.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,974 ฿65.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,444 ฿48.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Campina Grande
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$602 ฿20.0K
$380 R$1,944
58.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
5
11.40%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Campina Grande: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Chiang Mai and $258 in Campina Grande. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chiang Mai pays 58% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $20.00 in Chiang Mai vs $29.00 in Campina Grande. Groceries flip the comparison at $241 vs $167, with Campina Grande 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 Campina Grande: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Campina Grande cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Campina Grande is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 24% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Chiang Mai or Campina Grande?
Average pay runs 58% higher in Chiang Mai, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Chiang Mai and Campina Grande?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Chiang Mai versus $258 in Campina Grande. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Chiang Mai or in Campina Grande?
Dining out is cheaper in Campina Grande – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Chiang Mai and in Campina Grande?
All in, you'll spend $932 per month in Chiang Mai versus $750 in Campina Grande – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Chiang Mai or in Campina Grande?
At $750 in Campina Grande versus $932 in Chiang Mai, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Campina Grande but tight or insufficient in Chiang Mai. The gap between the two cities makes Campina Grande the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Chiang Mai or Campina Grande more family-friendly?
For families, Campina Grande is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chiang Mai, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Campina Grande?
Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Campina Grande are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Campina Grande gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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