😐A single person spends $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $825 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,213 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,601 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 12% more than Cyberjaya, Selangor, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Cyberjaya, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai33% lower, Cyberjaya, Selangor40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11฿69.1
$2.78MYR 11.24
-24.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.75฿648
$17.09MYR 69.0
15.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.85฿192
$4.80MYR 19.39
21.87%
Cappuccino
$1.76฿57.8
$1.67MYR 6.75
5.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74฿24.37
$0.74MYR 3.01
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33฿10.90
$0.26MYR 1.05
26.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.47฿81.0
$2.03MYR 8.20
21.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88฿127
$3.74MYR 15.11
3.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90฿62.4
$1.67MYR 6.76
13.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.67฿54.7
$1.03MYR 4.17
62.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35฿44.24
$1.45MYR 5.85
-6.90%
Eggs
$2.14฿70.2
$1.34MYR 5.42
59.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89฿521
$11.62MYR 46.93
36.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.83฿92.9
$3.43MYR 13.87
-17.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.53฿345
$3.63MYR 14.68
190.08%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38฿78.2
$2.47MYR 9.98
-3.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07฿35.01
$1.58MYR 6.39
-32.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52฿49.79
$1.88MYR 7.62
-19.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50฿49.30
$1.00MYR 4.06
50.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28฿41.96
$0.81MYR 3.28
58.02%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10฿36.17
$0.93MYR 3.74
18.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.69฿22.54
$0.97MYR 3.91
-28.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49฿16.18
$0.51MYR 2.04
-3.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27฿140
$4.11MYR 16.61
3.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.78฿550
$14.13MYR 57.1
18.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66฿54.4
$2.02MYR 8.16
-17.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81฿92.3
$1.98MYR 8.02
41.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90฿29.44
$0.96MYR 3.89
-6.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$54.9฿1,801
$12.52MYR 50.6
338.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.20฿39.24
$0.75MYR 3.04
60.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.54฿17.78
$0.76MYR 3.06
-28.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.37฿77.9
$9.84MYR 39.74
-75.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43฿46.88
$0.54MYR 2.20
164.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K฿691.5K
$40.9KMYR 165.4K
-48.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K฿890.2K
$34.6KMYR 140.0K
-21.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$64.7฿2,124
$53.2MYR 215
21.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.19฿433
$8.25MYR 33.32
59.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.44฿638
$24.65MYR 99.6
-21.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.45฿1,294
$54.5MYR 220
-27.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77฿124
$10.93MYR 44.14
-65.51%
Cinema Ticket
$6.62฿217
$4.92MYR 19.86
34.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$805฿26.4K
$166MYR 672
384.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1K฿496.1K
$2,449MYR 9,894
517.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8฿1,796
$66.1MYR 267
-17.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.43฿834
$16.39MYR 66.2
55.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.9฿3,015
$82.1MYR 332
11.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.7฿2,449
$40.17MYR 162
85.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467฿15.3K
$351MYR 1,419
32.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$282฿9,251
$292MYR 1,178
-3.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891฿29.2K
$531MYR 2,144
67.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521฿17.1K
$438MYR 1,770
18.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,985฿65.1K
$859MYR 3,470
131.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,462฿48.0K
$800MYR 3,232
82.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$592฿19.4K
$1,753MYR 7,082
-66.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
4.06
37.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 17, 2026
Last update for Cyberjaya, Selangor: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $467 in Chiang Mai versus $351 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. 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 196% higher in Cyberjaya, Selangor, 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 $17.00 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $192 – making Cyberjaya, Selangor the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Cyberjaya, Selangor: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Chiang Mai costs about 12% more than Cyberjaya, Selangor, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 and in Cyberjaya, Selangor?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,380 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,238 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cyberjaya, Selangor, 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 in Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Kindergarten costs $805 per month in Chiang Mai and $166 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. 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 in Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Groceries cost about 23% 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.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Cyberjaya, Selangor?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Cyberjaya, Selangor, where all-in costs run around $825, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Cyberjaya, Selangor it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Cyberjaya, Selangor?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cyberjaya, Selangor costs $825 versus $920 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Cyberjaya, Selangor?
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 to Cyberjaya, Selangor?
If budget matters most, go with Cyberjaya, Selangor. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared