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 $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $514 in Daska, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $794 in Daska, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,073 in Daska, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 81% more than Daska, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Daska are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Daska 62% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.3

$3.63 PKR 1,006

-42.70%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿653

$23.04 PKR 6,380

-14.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$5.46 PKR 1,512

3.85%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.65 PKR 1,011

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.69 PKR 1,853

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.1

$2.63 PKR 730

-31.18%

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

$0.77 ฿25.58

$0.33 PKR 90.8

133.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.49

$0.23 PKR 63.7

52.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.2

$0.92 PKR 254

122.83%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

$0.79 PKR 218

91.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.57

$1.29 PKR 357

8.53%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.2

$1.27 PKR 352

77.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿539

$6.02 PKR 1,667

168.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.4

$3.17 PKR 877

-8.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

$5.37 PKR 1,488

75.42%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.2

$1.25 PKR 347

114.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.28

$0.84 PKR 233

29.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

$1.02 PKR 283

58.82%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.61

$0.52 PKR 145

180.77%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.54

$0.26 PKR 71.6

392.31%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.21

$0.33 PKR 90.5

221.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.88

$0.28 PKR 76.9

157.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.51

$0.39 PKR 109

35.90%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.75 PKR 485

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 PKR 338

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.69 PKR 746

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$2.39 PKR 661

76.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.24

$0.20 PKR 55.0

340.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,790

$10.09 PKR 2,794

432.90%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.04

$1.28 PKR 356

-8.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.25

$0.74 PKR 206

-21.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.4

$1.59 PKR 441

50.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.28

$1.31 PKR 362

10.69%

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

$21.0K ฿699.5K

$21.4K PKR 5.9M

-1.71%

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

$26.4K ฿879.7K

$24.5K PKR 6.8M

7.66%

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

$63.7 ฿2,119

$101 PKR 28.0K

-36.93%

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

$12.89 ฿429

$5.81 PKR 1,608

121.86%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿683

$15.81 PKR 4,380

29.79%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,299

$15.10 PKR 4,184

158.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

$4.29 PKR 1,189

53.38%

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

$784 ฿26.1K

$75.6 PKR 20.9K

936.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿488.4K

$995 PKR 275.5K

1375.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,835

$24.93 PKR 6,905

121.06%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿824

$35.00 PKR 9,693

-29.31%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,133

$96.5 PKR 26.7K

-2.48%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,462

$41.10 PKR 11.4K

79.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

$127 PKR 35.1K

287.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,594

$76.5 PKR 21.2K

276.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.7K

$255 PKR 70.5K

250.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

$150 PKR 41.4K

248.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.7K

$907 PKR 251.3K

117.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.1K

$514 PKR 142.5K

180.80%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

13.08

-57.42%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Daska: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $127 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $23.00 in Daska. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $103 in Daska – so Daska 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 Daska: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 81% 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $772 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 $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $75.6 in Daska. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 135% 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 Daska, where all-in costs run around $514, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Daska 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. Daska costs $514 versus $932 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.