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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $752 in Chone, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,214 in Chone, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,675 in Chone, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 26% more than Chone, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Chone are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Chone 45% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.6

$3.61 $3.61

-42.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

$28.05 $28.05

-29.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

$6.03 $6.03

-6.30%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.4

$2.49 $2.49

-27.31%

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

$0.71 ฿23.45

$0.71 $0.71

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$0.73 $0.73

-56.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.6

$1.80 $1.80

24.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

$2.67 $2.67

35.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$1.09 $1.09

79.82%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.39

$1.79 $1.79

-16.20%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.93

$1.52 $1.52

-11.84%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.5

$2.33 $2.33

-3.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿535

$4.71 $4.71

245.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$5.20 $5.20

-43.27%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

$7.85 $7.85

26.62%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.6

$1.56 $1.56

64.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.73

$1.12 $1.12

-5.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$1.26 $1.26

27.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.97

$0.97 $0.97

56.70%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.77

$1.38 $1.38

-7.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.06

$1.04 $1.04

2.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.68

$0.76 $0.76

-5.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$1.04 $1.04

-50.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

$5.85 $5.85

-28.38%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$9.48 $9.48

88.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$1.49 $1.49

13.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.3

$3.44 $3.44

-17.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.43

$0.37 $0.37

151.35%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,771

$19.66 $19.66

173.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.59

$1.10 $1.10

11.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

$1.22 $1.22

-52.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

$9.71 $9.71

-75.08%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.43

$0.75 $0.75

88.00%

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

$21.4K ฿705.1K

$22.7K $22.7K

-5.57%

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

$27.3K ฿898.7K

$31.8K $31.8K

-14.15%

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

$63.7 ฿2,093

$34.49 $34.49

84.60%

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

$12.85 ฿423

$12.69 $12.69

1.26%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

$23.02 $23.02

-12.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$30.57 $30.57

26.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

$16.20 $16.20

-75.49%

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿222

$7.76 $7.76

-13.14%

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

$778 ฿25.6K

$227 $227

242.28%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.4K

$5,642 $5,642

158.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

$55.1 $55.1

-1.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿837

$46.34 $46.34

-45.08%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,102

$111 $111

-15.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,415

$82.9 $82.9

-11.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

$294 $294

66.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,512

$163 $163

77.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

$579 $579

54.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

$358 $358

44.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

$1,294 $1,294

51.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.6K

$756 $756

95.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

10.05

-44.58%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chone: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $294 in Chone. 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $28.00 in Chone. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $187 in Chone – so Chone 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 Chone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 26% more than Chone, 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 $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,128 in Chone. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chone, 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 $227 in Chone. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 28% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chone, where all-in costs run around $752, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Chone it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chone costs $752 versus $947 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 Chone. 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.