Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Denpasar, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Denpasar, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $961 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,660 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,360 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 10% cheaper than Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chiang Mai and Denpasar, Bali are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Denpasar, Bali 28% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$2.41 Rp 43.0K

-19.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$21.74 Rp 388.3K

-14.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

$3.26 Rp 58.2K

139.88%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$1.89 Rp 33.8K

3.17%

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.92 Rp 16.5K

-7.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$0.47 Rp 8,368

-25.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

$1.92 Rp 34.3K

10.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

$2.56 Rp 45.7K

45.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.44 Rp 25.7K

18.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$2.04 Rp 36.5K

-20.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$0.92 Rp 16.5K

23.91%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$1.91 Rp 34.2K

1.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$11.89 Rp 212.4K

36.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$3.41 Rp 61.0K

-8.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$9.95 Rp 177.7K

9.55%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$3.09 Rp 55.2K

-11.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$1.26 Rp 22.6K

-3.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$2.22 Rp 39.6K

-27.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$1.81 Rp 32.4K

-12.15%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$1.61 Rp 28.8K

-13.04%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$1.80 Rp 32.1K

-35.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$0.86 Rp 15.4K

-23.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.57 Rp 10.2K

-7.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$2.64 Rp 47.1K

77.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

$19.27 Rp 344.2K

-3.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$2.25 Rp 40.2K

-20.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$2.23 Rp 39.8K

44.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.24 Rp 4,257

275.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$7.34 Rp 131.0K

161.72%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$0.44 Rp 7,813

220.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$0.39 Rp 6,914

230.77%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$5.45 Rp 97.2K

43.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$0.74 Rp 13.1K

71.62%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

$23.5K Rp 420.5M

-9.64%

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

$29.1K Rp 520.1M

-23.73%

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$70.5 Rp 1.3M

-1.97%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$3.67 Rp 65.5K

283.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$21.23 Rp 379.1K

-15.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$69.5 Rp 1.2M

-40.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$4.45 Rp 79.5K

56.40%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$2.91 Rp 52.0K

103.44%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$227 Rp 4.1M

31.84%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$5,191 Rp 92.7M

188.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$47.61 Rp 850.2K

14.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$32.45 Rp 579.4K

-17.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$76.3 Rp 1.4M

11.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$66.7 Rp 1.2M

5.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$528 Rp 9.4M

-18.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$344 Rp 6.1M

-31.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$1,801 Rp 32.2M

-55.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$1,065 Rp 19.0M

-51.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$1,476 Rp 26.4M

33.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$1,184 Rp 21.2M

24.54%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$335 Rp 6.0M

84.18%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

-62.35%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $528 in Denpasar, Bali. 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 84% 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 $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Chiang Mai vs $243 in Denpasar, Bali – so Denpasar, Bali 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 Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Denpasar, Bali costs about 11% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,442 in Denpasar, Bali. 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 $227 in Denpasar, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Denpasar, Bali – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Denpasar, Bali at $961. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Denpasar, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali. 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, Denpasar, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.