ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $309 in Davanagere, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $484 in Davanagere, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $659 in Davanagere, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 176% more than Davanagere, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Davanagere are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Davanagere77% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$0.68âđ65.0
188.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$7.11âđ675
164.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$3.56âđ338
122.47%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$0.68âđ64.9
180.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.22âđ20.81
281.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.13âđ12.66
169.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$1.71âđ162
29.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.37âđ225
60.34%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.43âđ40.99
281.40%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.24âđ22.87
575.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.52âđ49.41
126.92%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$0.71âđ67.5
183.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$2.28âđ217
596.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.29âđ217
31.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.35âđ223
11.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.77âđ72.7
58.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$0.89âđ84.2
91.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.52âđ49.53
203.85%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.22âđ20.80
500.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.22âđ20.83
431.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.49âđ46.19
36.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.24âđ22.92
133.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$2.36âđ225
91.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$4.55âđ432
300.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.17âđ111
56.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.77âđ263
16.61%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$2.40âđ227
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.28âđ26.45
217.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.54âđ811
126.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.94âđ89.4
43.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.10âđ9.70
1250.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$1.19âđ113
593.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.22âđ116
4.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$5,151âđ489.0K
310.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$11.5Kâđ1.1M
95.28%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$41.22âđ3,913
70.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$3.46âđ328
297.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$6.84âđ650
157.31%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$11.17âđ1,060
272.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$7.12âđ676
-7.30%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$2.87âđ272
101.39%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$35.15âđ3,338
771.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$993âđ94.3K
1392.72%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$13.04âđ1,238
316.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$9.32âđ885
180.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$23.68âđ2,248
257.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$23.25âđ2,207
198.62%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$126âđ12.0K
235.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$74.8âđ7,102
218.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$276âđ26.2K
198.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$180âđ17.1K
186.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Davanagere
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$344âđ32.7K
84.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8.38
-40.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Davanagere: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $126 in Davanagere. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 85% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $7.00 in Davanagere. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $79.0 â making Davanagere 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 Davanagere: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
Chiang Mai costs about 176% more than Davanagere, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai vs Davanagere?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $463 in Davanagere. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Davanagere, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Davanagere?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $35.15 in Davanagere. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
Groceries cost about 208% 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.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $309 in Davanagere, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Davanagere costs $309 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Davanagere?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Davanagere?
If budget matters most, go with Davanagere. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared