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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $376 in Garissa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $657 in Garissa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $938 in Garissa, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 152% more than Garissa, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Garissa are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Garissa 73% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.6

$11.69 KES 1,512

-82.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

$23.22 KES 3,005

-15.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.4

$7.79 KES 1,008

-76.77%

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

$0.71 ฿23.45

$1.97 KES 255

-63.96%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$1.14 KES 148

-71.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$0.52 KES 67.0

276.92%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.39

$0.59 KES 76.7

154.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.93

$1.44 KES 186

-6.94%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.5

$1.92 KES 248

17.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿535

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$6.35 KES 822

-53.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

$5.36 KES 694

85.45%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.6

$3.95 KES 511

-34.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.73

$3.05 KES 395

-65.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$4.52 KES 584

-64.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.97

$0.74 KES 95.9

105.41%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.77

$1.25 KES 162

1.60%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.06

$1.56 KES 201

-31.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.68

$2.30 KES 298

-68.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$0.51 KES 66.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$5.89 KES 762

203.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$1.68 KES 217

0.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.3

$3.79 KES 490

-25.07%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,771

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.43

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

$21.4K ฿705.1K

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

$27.3K ฿898.7K

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

$63.7 ฿2,093

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

$12.85 ฿423

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿222

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

$778 ฿25.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿837

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,415

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,512

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

$132 KES 17.1K

355.58%

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 31, 2026

Last update for Garissa: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 356% 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 $23.00 in Garissa. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $182 in Garissa – so Garissa 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 Garissa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 152% more than Garissa, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $564 in Garissa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $947 in Chiang Mai and $376 in Garissa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 32% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Garissa, where all-in costs run around $376, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Garissa 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. Garissa costs $376 versus $947 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 Garissa. 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.