Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Durgapur

For one person, living is cheaper in Durgapur: $295 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $7,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Durgapur, India
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Durgapur
🇮🇳 India
$295
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Durgapur

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Durgapur actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $295 in Durgapur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Durgapur $295

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $471 in Durgapur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Durgapur $471

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $647 in Durgapur, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Durgapur $647

Chiang Mai costs about 217% more than Durgapur, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Durgapur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Durgapur 78% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿72.0
$2.15 ₹204
-0.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿628
$10.53 ₹997
76.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿189
$4.29 ₹406
30.54%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿56.1
$1.55 ₹147
7.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.83
$0.34 ₹31.88
91.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.29
$0.13 ₹12.49
130.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿78.4
$1.09 ₹103
112.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿124
$2.14 ₹202
71.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿68.0
$0.50 ₹47.42
304.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.51
$0.37 ₹34.72
281.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.96
$0.51 ₹48.44
172.55%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.9
$0.97 ₹91.7
144.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿557
$2.68 ₹254
516.42%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿90.1
$2.22 ₹211
20.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿304
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.9
$1.26 ₹119
90.48%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿35.13
$0.66 ₹62.6
57.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿56.0
$0.96 ₹90.7
72.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.6
$0.59 ₹56.2
164.41%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.76
$0.21 ₹19.83
490.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.66
$0.39 ₹36.58
179.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.70
$0.30 ₹28.07
153.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.35
$0.28 ₹26.65
82.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿139
$5.16 ₹489
-20.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿605
$9.98 ₹945
79.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.8
$1.83 ₹174
-11.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿95.2
$2.16 ₹204
30.56%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$6.02 ₹570
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.53
$0.40 ₹38.15
132.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,785
$5.15 ₹488
926.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.70
$0.55 ₹52.4
114.55%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.79
$0.10 ₹9.57
70.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿61.1
$1.66 ₹158
9.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.69
$1.13 ₹107
30.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿708.9K
$7,780 ₹737.1K
170.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿894.6K
$10.5K ₹996.5K
152.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,111
$39.31 ₹3,724
59.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿392
$2.49 ₹236
365.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿685
$5.22 ₹494
288.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,278
$8.71 ₹826
334.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿125
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿220
$3.12 ₹295
108.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.5K
$42.60 ₹4,036
1606.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿559.2K
$1,588 ₹150.5K
943.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,807
$19.53 ₹1,850
174.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿837
$25.16 ₹2,383
-1.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,050
$24.16 ₹2,289
274.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,428
$20.58 ₹1,950
249.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.2K
$67.9 ₹6,437
608.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.5K
$34.73 ₹3,290
792.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.7K
$158 ₹14.9K
570.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.2K
$105 ₹9,917
529.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿81.6K
$377 ₹35.7K
540.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿54.3K
$248 ₹23.5K
548.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Durgapur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿20.1K
$722 ₹68.4K
-17.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
9
-38.11%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Durgapur: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Durgapur
$35 88.8% $275
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Durgapur
$90 61.9% $146
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Durgapur
$40 62.9% $68
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Durgapur
$47 50.2% $47
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Durgapur
$60 21.3% $16
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Durgapur
$7.8 86.7% $51
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Durgapur
$15 70.6% $36

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $68 in Durgapur. 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 21% higher in Durgapur, 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 in Chiang Mai versus $11 in Durgapur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $90 – making Durgapur the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇮🇳 Durgapur
🕒 Local time
02:10 2:10 AM
00:40 12:40 AM
1 h 30 min behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
100,000
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.77 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 94.74 INR (100 INR = 1.06 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Durgapur 1,320 km ≈ 2 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Durgapur

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Durgapur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Durgapur?
Chiang Mai costs about 217% more than Durgapur, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 and in Durgapur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $443 in Durgapur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Durgapur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Durgapur, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $68 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Durgapur?
Kindergarten costs $727 per month in Chiang Mai and $43 in Durgapur. 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 in Durgapur?
Groceries cost about 162% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or in Durgapur?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $935 in Chiang Mai and $295 in Durgapur, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Durgapur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Durgapur is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 68% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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