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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $557 in Chirchiq, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $890 in Chirchiq, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,224 in Chirchiq, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 53% more than Chirchiq, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Chirchiq are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Chirchiq 58% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ฿68.2

$2.97 UZS 35.5K

-31.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.71 ฿624

$21.16 UZS 252.9K

-11.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 ฿262

$2.94 UZS 35.2K

167.35%

Cappuccino

$2.03 ฿67.7

$1.95 UZS 23.4K

4.10%

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

$0.80 ฿26.64

$0.60 UZS 7,146

33.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.68

$0.25 UZS 2,967

40.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.5

$1.02 UZS 12.2K

109.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿122

$1.96 UZS 23.4K

87.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 ฿57.6

$0.98 UZS 11.8K

76.53%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.4

$0.39 UZS 4,661

302.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.20 ฿39.99

$0.97 UZS 11.6K

23.71%

Eggs

$1.97 ฿65.8

$1.18 UZS 14.1K

66.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.23 ฿541

$5.01 UZS 59.9K

223.95%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.06 ฿102

$3.82 UZS 45.7K

-19.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.80 ฿360

$8.69 UZS 103.9K

24.28%

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 ฿92.3

$1.02 UZS 12.1K

171.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.94

$1.74 UZS 20.8K

-32.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 ฿57.0

$2.18 UZS 26.1K

-21.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿53.2

$0.97 UZS 11.6K

63.92%

Potato (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.51

$0.51 UZS 6,088

172.55%

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 ฿38.56

$0.34 UZS 4,121

241.18%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿22.05

$0.62 UZS 7,406

6.45%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ฿17.31

$0.44 UZS 5,265

18.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.65 ฿155

$1.98 UZS 23.6K

134.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.78 ฿593

$6.84 UZS 81.7K

159.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 ฿59.6

$1.02 UZS 12.2K

75.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 ฿111

$2.98 UZS 35.6K

12.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 ฿30.27

$0.19 UZS 2,261

378.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.64 ฿622

$5.07 UZS 60.6K

267.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿47.04

$0.81 UZS 9,685

74.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.70

$0.31 UZS 3,712

332.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.11 ฿270

$3.63 UZS 43.4K

123.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿41.16

$0.67 UZS 8,055

83.58%

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

$21.4K ฿715.1K

$20.3K UZS 242.1M

5.83%

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

$21.8K ฿728.0K

$25.0K UZS 299.0M

-12.74%

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

$71.3 ฿2,379

$20.09 UZS 240.1K

255.05%

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

$14.01 ฿467

$3.63 UZS 43.5K

285.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.93 ฿598

$11.88 UZS 142.0K

50.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.82 ฿1,362

$14.89 UZS 178.0K

174.14%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿230

$14.97 UZS 179.0K

-54.04%

Cinema Ticket

$5.72 ฿191

$4.91 UZS 58.8K

16.50%

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

$308 ฿10.3K

$298 UZS 3.6M

3.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.7K

$8,971 UZS 107.2M

63.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,860

$30.28 UZS 362.0K

84.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.04 ฿869

$47.86 UZS 572.2K

-45.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 ฿2,829

$102 UZS 1.2M

-16.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 ฿2,368

$101 UZS 1.2M

-29.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$423 ฿14.1K

$212 UZS 2.5M

99.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$242 ฿8,088

$152 UZS 1.8M

60.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 ฿26.6K

$296 UZS 3.5M

169.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 ฿16.9K

$253 UZS 3.0M

100.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,918 ฿64.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,464 ฿48.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿19.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

22.07

-77.34%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Last update for Chirchiq: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $212 in Chirchiq. 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $21.00 in Chirchiq. Groceries tell a different story – $244 in Chiang Mai vs $146 in Chirchiq – so Chirchiq 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 Chirchiq: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 53% more than Chirchiq, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $836 in Chirchiq. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $298 in Chirchiq. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 67% 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.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $557 in Chirchiq, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chirchiq costs $557 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Chirchiq. 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.