ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,826 in Fontenay-le-Fleury, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,717 in Fontenay-le-Fleury, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,608 in Fontenay-le-Fleury, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 54% cheaper than Fontenay-le-Fleury, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðChiang Mai sits 37% below the global median, while Fontenay-le-Fleury is 36% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ62.8
$8.01âŽ6.84
-75.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ594
$33.29âŽ28.40
-44.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ241
$11.36âŽ9.69
-33.98%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.3
$4.75âŽ4.05
-59.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.08
$1.76âŽ1.50
-55.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.42
$1.76âŽ1.50
-81.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.2
$7.03âŽ6.00
-69.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$4.75âŽ4.05
-21.89%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.2
$1.18âŽ1.01
44.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.3
$2.02âŽ1.72
-22.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.06
$1.70âŽ1.45
-30.59%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ63.9
$3.49âŽ2.98
-43.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ517
$25.32âŽ21.60
-36.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ102
$14.15âŽ12.07
-77.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ353
$20.07âŽ17.12
-45.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ84.7
$3.49âŽ2.97
-24.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.61
$2.38âŽ2.03
-50.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.0
$3.54âŽ3.02
-53.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.51
$3.76âŽ3.20
-59.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.34
$2.68âŽ2.29
-48.51%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.54
$3.01âŽ2.57
-61.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.25
$1.88âŽ1.60
-64.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.55
$0.87âŽ0.74
-41.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$14.95âŽ12.75
-69.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ590
$9.62âŽ8.20
90.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ57.9
$2.81âŽ2.40
-35.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ102
$4.00âŽ3.42
-20.50%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ28.97
$2.01âŽ1.71
-55.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ612
$48.05âŽ40.99
-60.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.50
$4.67âŽ3.99
-69.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.15
$2.06âŽ1.76
-36.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ261
$54.5âŽ46.46
-85.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.08
$2.19âŽ1.87
-41.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
$35.4KâŽ30.2K
-39.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
$36.7KâŽ31.3K
-40.87%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,230
$253âŽ215
-72.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ450
$16.72âŽ14.26
-16.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ578
$35.32âŽ30.13
-49.18%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,363
$38.02âŽ32.43
11.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ214
$18.24âŽ15.56
-63.49%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ191
$9.56âŽ8.16
-38.08%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,640
$904âŽ771
-66.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
$8,589âŽ7,326
72.89%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,810
$114âŽ97.1
-50.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ868
$47.60âŽ40.60
-43.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,735
$124âŽ106
-31.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,314
$157âŽ134
-54.24%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.0K
$769âŽ656
-43.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,727
$616âŽ526
-61.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.7K
$1,406âŽ1,199
-43.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$1,087âŽ927
-54.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
$4,224âŽ3,603
-52.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
$3,044âŽ2,597
-49.69%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Fontenay-le-Fleury
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.2K
$2,936âŽ2,505
-78.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.55
40.85%
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 Fontenay-le-Fleury: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $769 in Fontenay-le-Fleury. 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 367% higher in Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 $33 in Fontenay-le-Fleury. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $398 â making Chiang Mai 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Fontenay-le-Fleury?
Fontenay-le-Fleury costs about 116% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,739 in Fontenay-le-Fleury. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Fontenay-le-Fleury?
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 Fontenay-le-Fleury?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $904 in Fontenay-le-Fleury. 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury?
Groceries cost about 63% more in Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Fontenay-le-Fleury?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Fontenay-le-Fleury at $1,826. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Fontenay-le-Fleury it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Fontenay-le-Fleury?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,826 in Fontenay-le-Fleury. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Fontenay-le-Fleury?
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 Fontenay-le-Fleury?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fontenay-le-Fleury makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared