ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,093 in Elazig, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,676 in Elazig, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,259 in Elazig, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 23% cheaper than Elazig, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Elazig are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai37% lower, Elazig18% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ63.2
$7.47âš336
-73.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ597
$30.35âš1,364
-39.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ243
$7.71âš346
-2.72%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.6
$2.85âš128
-32.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.22
$1.28âš57.7
-39.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.48
$0.47âš21.23
-31.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.6
$3.53âš158
-39.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$3.86âš173
-3.89%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.5
$1.01âš45.48
69.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.6
$0.74âš33.27
110.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.27
$2.22âš99.6
-46.85%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ64.2
$1.87âš84.2
5.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ520
$9.68âš435
65.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ103
$5.49âš247
-42.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ355
$19.05âš856
-42.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ85.1
$1.25âš56.0
110.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.82
$2.16âš97.0
-45.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.3
$1.10âš49.44
50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.78
$1.32âš59.5
16.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.59
$0.73âš32.96
89.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.75
$0.65âš29.22
80.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.37
$0.85âš38.15
-22.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.64
$0.50âš22.44
2.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$2.21âš99.2
104.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ594
$10.82âš486
69.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ58.2
$2.10âš94.5
-14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ103
$3.08âš138
3.25%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ29.13
$0.67âš29.90
34.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ616
$30.93âš1,390
-38.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.76
$1.05âš46.98
34.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.39
$0.64âš28.78
104.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ262
$7.60âš342
6.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.31
$1.22âš55.0
4.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ689.9K
$42.9Kâš1.9M
-50.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ703.2K
$43.0Kâš1.9M
-49.50%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,242
$61.6âš2,766
12.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ453
$10.92âš491
27.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ582
$12.63âš568
42.12%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,371
$43.94âš1,975
-3.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ192
$5.64âš253
4.96%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,694
$604âš27.1K
-50.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ481.1K
$8,918âš400.8K
66.50%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,820
$52.6âš2,363
6.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ873
$44.99âš2,022
-40.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,750
$103âš4,645
-17.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,327
$90.4âš4,063
-20.55%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.1K
$523âš23.5K
-16.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,771
$387âš17.4K
-38.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.8K
$886âš39.8K
-9.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$699âš31.4K
-28.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.6K
$1,356âš60.9K
47.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.6K
$943âš42.4K
62.44%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Elazig
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.4K
$957âš43.0K
-34.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
36.83
-86.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Elazig: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $523 in Elazig. 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 52% higher in Elazig, 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 $18 in Chiang Mai versus $30 in Elazig. Groceries tell a different story â $244 in Chiang Mai vs $229 in Elazig â so Elazig 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 Elazig: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Elazig?
Elazig costs about 29% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Elazig?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,640 in Elazig. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Elazig?
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.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Elazig?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $604 in Elazig. 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 Elazig?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Elazig â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Elazig?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Elazig at $1,093. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Elazig it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Elazig?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,093 in Elazig. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Elazig?
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 Elazig?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Elazig makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared