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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $190 in Galcaio, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $308 in Galcaio, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $426 in Galcaio, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 385% more than Galcaio, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chiang Mai and Galcaio are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 33% lower, Galcaio 86% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 ฿69.1

$3.07 SOS 1,746

-31.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.75 ฿648

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 ฿192

$4.04 SOS 2,293

44.80%

Cappuccino

$1.76 ฿57.8

$0.97 SOS 554

81.44%

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

$0.74 ฿24.37

$0.61 SOS 347

21.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ฿10.90

$0.20 SOS 112

65.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 ฿81.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 ฿127

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 ฿62.4

$1.53 SOS 868

24.18%

White Bread (500g)

$1.67 ฿54.7

$0.52 SOS 296

221.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 ฿44.24

$0.69 SOS 390

95.65%

Eggs

$2.14 ฿70.2

$3.05 SOS 1,732

-29.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿521

$2.02 SOS 1,147

686.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.83 ฿92.9

$5.07 SOS 2,877

-44.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.53 ฿345

$5.93 SOS 3,367

77.57%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ฿78.2

$1.94 SOS 1,103

22.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.01

$0.67 SOS 381

59.70%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.79

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿49.30

$1.02 SOS 578

47.06%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿41.96

$1.03 SOS 583

24.27%

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.17

$0.98 SOS 556

12.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ฿22.54

$0.52 SOS 295

32.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.18

$0.98 SOS 555

-50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 ฿140

$0.52 SOS 297

721.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.78 ฿550

$2.04 SOS 1,156

722.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 ฿54.4

$1.95 SOS 1,105

-14.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 ฿92.3

$2.04 SOS 1,162

37.75%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.9 ฿1,801

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 ฿39.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 ฿17.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.37 ฿77.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 ฿46.88

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

$21.1K ฿691.5K

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

$27.1K ฿890.2K

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

$64.7 ฿2,124

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

$13.19 ฿433

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.44 ฿638

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.45 ฿1,294

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿124

Cinema Ticket

$6.62 ฿217

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

$805 ฿26.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿496.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 ฿1,796

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.43 ฿834

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 ฿3,015

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 ฿2,449

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 ฿15.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 ฿9,251

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,985 ฿65.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,462 ฿48.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ฿19.4K

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: August 17, 2026

Last update for Galcaio: August 15, 2026

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 Galcaio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 385% more than Galcaio, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,380 per month in Chiang Mai and $285 in Galcaio. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $920 in Chiang Mai and $190 in Galcaio. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 69% 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 $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Galcaio, where all-in costs run around $190, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Galcaio 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. Galcaio costs $190 versus $920 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 Galcaio. 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.