Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Cyberjaya, Selangor Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Cyberjaya, Selangor

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,222 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,629 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

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

Both Chiang Mai and Cyberjaya, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Cyberjaya, Selangor 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿63.6

$3.21 MYR 12.69

-38.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿611

$13.99 MYR 55.2

34.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿258

$4.73 MYR 18.69

67.44%

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.2

$1.61 MYR 6.38

18.63%

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

$0.84 ฿27.25

$0.70 MYR 2.76

20.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.44

$0.26 MYR 1.03

34.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿71.7

$1.95 MYR 7.69

13.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$3.59 MYR 14.20

5.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.2

$1.75 MYR 6.90

-6.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿52.8

$0.98 MYR 3.89

65.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.40

$1.26 MYR 4.97

-6.35%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.4

$1.35 MYR 5.33

48.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿517

$15.79 MYR 62.4

0.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.0

$2.66 MYR 10.52

13.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿350

$4.07 MYR 16.06

164.62%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.0

$2.45 MYR 9.67

6.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.65

$1.07 MYR 4.22

14.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.4

$1.84 MYR 7.26

-7.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.2

$1.04 MYR 4.09

51.92%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿42.89

$0.68 MYR 2.69

94.12%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.01

$0.70 MYR 2.76

67.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.85

$1.16 MYR 4.59

-42.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.21

$0.46 MYR 1.80

21.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿147

$4.22 MYR 16.68

7.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿592

$14.30 MYR 56.5

27.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.6

$1.74 MYR 6.88

5.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿105

$2.05 MYR 8.08

57.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿28.83

$0.97 MYR 3.84

-8.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿630

$11.71 MYR 46.26

65.50%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿43.95

$0.68 MYR 2.67

98.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿43.79

$0.99 MYR 3.92

36.36%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿268

$5.93 MYR 23.42

39.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.40

$0.46 MYR 1.81

176.09%

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

$21.2K ฿687.8K

$30.8K MYR 121.8K

-31.39%

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

$22.5K ฿731.0K

$28.9K MYR 114.3K

-22.32%

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

$70.2 ฿2,281

$45.69 MYR 180

53.53%

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

$13.77 ฿448

$8.84 MYR 34.94

55.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿572

$24.42 MYR 96.5

-27.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,352

$51.1 MYR 202

-18.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿215

$10.52 MYR 41.55

-37.26%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿188

$4.99 MYR 19.73

15.83%

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

$306 ฿9,953

$185 MYR 732

65.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿482.0K

$7,045 MYR 27.8K

110.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,768

$66.1 MYR 261

-17.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿850

$18.80 MYR 74.3

39.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,748

$59.2 MYR 234

42.80%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,257

$39.85 MYR 157

74.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.8K

$295 MYR 1,166

43.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,743

$286 MYR 1,130

-16.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿26.8K

$598 MYR 2,363

37.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.7K

$513 MYR 2,025

0.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿66.6K

$887 MYR 3,505

130.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.5K

$825 MYR 3,260

84.51%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.6K

$1,818 MYR 7,182

-65.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

22.85%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Last update for Cyberjaya, Selangor: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $295 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 186% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $14.00 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $197 – 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

Chiang Mai costs about 5% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,223 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $185 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 24% 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.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cyberjaya, Selangor costs $815 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 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.