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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $888 in Daule, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,338 in Daule, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,789 in Daule, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 2% cheaper than Daule, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Daule are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Daule 34% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$4.47 $4.47

-55.70%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$15.70 $15.70

19.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$7.37 $7.37

5.16%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.80 $2.80

-31.43%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$1.11 $1.11

-28.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.71 $0.71

-49.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$1.95 $1.95

13.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$3.90 $3.90

-6.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$0.99 $0.99

66.67%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.98 $0.98

66.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.08 $1.08

10.19%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.93 $1.93

3.63%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$7.93 $7.93

101.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$7.57 $7.57

-59.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$7.81 $7.81

39.05%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$2.01 $2.01

37.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$1.17 $1.17

0.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$1.07 $1.07

53.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$1.13 $1.13

34.51%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$0.75 $0.75

84.00%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$1.05 $1.05

13.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.48 $0.48

45.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$1.05 $1.05

-46.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$5.88 $5.88

-22.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$8.11 $8.11

104.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$1.27 $1.27

44.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$1.98 $1.98

61.62%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.37 $0.37

137.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$23.76 $23.76

-21.21%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$1.46 $1.46

-6.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$1.48 $1.48

-9.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$7.95 $7.95

-1.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.64 $0.64

92.19%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$20.3K $20.3K

6.43%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$25.0K $25.0K

-9.88%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$33.77 $33.77

108.88%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$14.31 $14.31

-4.40%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$29.14 $29.14

-40.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$30.59 $30.59

35.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$14.84 $14.84

-53.10%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$6.98 $6.98

-17.34%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$253 $253

21.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$8,523 $8,523

71.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$58.2 $58.2

-4.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$42.81 $42.81

-38.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$79.6 $79.6

7.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$80.4 $80.4

-10.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$339 $339

26.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$322 $322

-25.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$616 $616

32.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$490 $490

4.13%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$1,161 $1,161

70.86%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$719 $719

106.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.49

-47.31%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Daule: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $339 in Daule. 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 $16.00 in Daule. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $189 – making Daule 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 Daule: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Daule costs about 2% more than Chiang Mai, 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 $1,331 in Daule. 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 $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $253 in Daule. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 27% cheaper in Daule – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $888 in Daule, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $888 in Daule. 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, Daule makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.