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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $176 in Derna, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $336 in Derna, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $497 in Derna, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 429% more than Derna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Derna are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Derna 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.5

$3.99 LYD 25.27

-47.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿655

$7.71 LYD 48.89

154.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$3.06 LYD 19.41

85.29%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.45 LYD 2.85

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 LYD 4.12

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.3

$0.45 LYD 2.88

302.22%

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

$0.77 ฿25.65

$0.33 LYD 2.12

133.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿127

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.4

$0.74 LYD 4.71

177.03%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.69

$2.32 LYD 14.71

-39.66%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.4

$0.91 LYD 5.76

148.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿540

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.7

$3.10 LYD 19.62

-6.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.4

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.37

$0.76 LYD 4.84

43.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿54.0

$0.93 LYD 5.91

74.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.65

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.31

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿611

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.32

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,795

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.14

$0.82 LYD 5.19

42.68%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.30

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.41

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

$21.0K ฿701.4K

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

$26.4K ฿882.0K

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

$63.7 ฿2,125

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

$12.89 ฿430

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿685

$14.02 LYD 88.9

46.36%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,302

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿220

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

$784 ฿26.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,840

$31.70 LYD 201

73.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿826

$39.73 LYD 252

-37.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,142

$39.94 LYD 253

135.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,469

$40.15 LYD 254

84.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,620

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.8K

$156 LYD 990

470.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.4K

$92.9 LYD 589

460.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.9K

$196 LYD 1,241

907.84%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.2K

$79.2 LYD 502

1724.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.1K

$175 LYD 1,111

243.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Derna: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 243% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $8.00 in Derna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $44.00 – making Derna 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 Derna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 429% more than Derna, 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 $264 in Derna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $932 in Chiang Mai and $176 in Derna. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 446% 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 Derna, where all-in costs run around $176, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Derna 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. Derna costs $176 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 Derna. 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.