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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,327 in Dakar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,194 in Dakar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,061 in Dakar, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 35% cheaper than Dakar, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Dakar are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Dakar 1% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$5.42 F CFA 3,058

-64.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$53.3 F CFA 30.1K

-65.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

$10.21 F CFA 5,755

-23.41%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$4.43 F CFA 2,498

-55.98%

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.86 F CFA 484

-1.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$1.09 F CFA 615

-67.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

$2.57 F CFA 1,450

-17.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

$4.36 F CFA 2,457

-14.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$2.52 F CFA 1,423

-32.14%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.64 F CFA 360

154.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$1.61 F CFA 906

-29.19%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$2.88 F CFA 1,625

-32.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$12.78 F CFA 7,209

26.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$9.50 F CFA 5,357

-67.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$10.76 F CFA 6,069

1.30%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$2.72 F CFA 1,536

1.10%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$1.99 F CFA 1,121

-39.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$2.61 F CFA 1,473

-37.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$2.08 F CFA 1,174

-23.56%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$1.50 F CFA 844

-6.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$1.34 F CFA 758

-12.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$1.06 F CFA 600

-37.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.82 F CFA 460

-35.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$1.61 F CFA 908

191.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

$15.38 F CFA 8,674

21.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$1.18 F CFA 667

52.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$2.22 F CFA 1,254

45.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.36 F CFA 204

150.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$80.5 F CFA 45.4K

-76.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$2.68 F CFA 1,514

-47.39%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$2.83 F CFA 1,598

-54.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$17.99 F CFA 10.1K

-56.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.71 F CFA 963

-25.73%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

$36.1K F CFA 20.4M

-41.04%

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

$49.2K F CFA 27.8M

-54.89%

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$138 F CFA 78.0K

-50.08%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$9.92 F CFA 5,597

41.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$50.4 F CFA 28.4K

-64.31%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$56.4 F CFA 31.8K

-27.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$21.41 F CFA 12.1K

-67.49%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$9.02 F CFA 5,086

-34.37%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$272 F CFA 153.4K

9.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$7,169 F CFA 4.0M

108.56%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$68.6 F CFA 38.7K

-20.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$43.93 F CFA 24.8K

-39.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$103 F CFA 58.2K

-17.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$131 F CFA 74.1K

-46.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$914 F CFA 515.2K

-53.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$369 F CFA 208.2K

-35.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$1,863 F CFA 1.1M

-56.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$938 F CFA 528.9K

-45.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$4,996 F CFA 2.8M

-60.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$1,491 F CFA 841.1K

-1.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$431 F CFA 243.2K

43.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.25

-39.39%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Dakar: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $914 in Dakar. 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 43% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $53.0 in Dakar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $276 – making Chiang Mai 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 Dakar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,991 in Dakar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $272 in Dakar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 12% more in Dakar, 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 Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Dakar at $1,327. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dakar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,327 in Dakar. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dakar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.