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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $460 in Daska, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $707 in Daska, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $955 in Daska, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Daska, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Daska are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Daska 66% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$2.87 PKR 797

-31.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$13.96 PKR 3,880

34.67%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$5.23 PKR 1,454

48.18%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.73 PKR 480

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 PKR 1,056

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.00 PKR 557

-4.00%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.43 PKR 119

83.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.24 PKR 67.1

50.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$0.96 PKR 266

71.88%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.66 PKR 183

146.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.28 PKR 355

-7.03%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.25 PKR 348

60.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$6.13 PKR 1,703

160.69%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$3.49 PKR 972

-13.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$4.46 PKR 1,239

143.50%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$0.99 PKR 275

178.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$0.79 PKR 219

49.37%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$0.89 PKR 247

84.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$0.60 PKR 166

153.33%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$0.42 PKR 116

228.57%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$0.57 PKR 159

108.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.30 PKR 84.6

133.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.41 PKR 113

36.59%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.47 PKR 408

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 PKR 236

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 PKR 566

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$2.08 PKR 579

120.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.16 PKR 45.55

450.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$7.22 PKR 2,006

159.28%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$0.86 PKR 239

58.14%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.41 PKR 113

226.83%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$2.82 PKR 783

178.01%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.92 PKR 257

33.70%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$20.8K PKR 5.8M

3.95%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$26.4K PKR 7.3M

-14.67%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$112 PKR 31.1K

-36.84%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$5.36 PKR 1,491

155.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$18.98 PKR 5,277

-8.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$12.61 PKR 3,505

227.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$6.07 PKR 1,687

14.66%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$4.21 PKR 1,172

37.05%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$60.0 PKR 16.7K

411.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$1,095 PKR 304.5K

1233.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$21.86 PKR 6,078

155.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$28.43 PKR 7,904

-7.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$90.0 PKR 25.0K

-4.72%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$39.43 PKR 11.0K

83.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$73.8 PKR 20.5K

482.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$52.4 PKR 14.6K

355.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$170 PKR 47.2K

381.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$108 PKR 30.0K

372.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$868 PKR 241.3K

128.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$451 PKR 125.5K

228.70%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.2

-75.25%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Daska: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $73.8 in Daska. 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 $14.00 in Daska. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $100 – making Daska 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 Daska: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Daska, 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 $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $689 in Daska. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $60.0 in Daska. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 140% 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.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $460 in Daska, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Daska costs $460 versus $869 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 Daska. 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.