ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $724 in Gaza, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,065 in Gaza, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,405 in Gaza, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 17% more than Gaza, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Gaza are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai37% lower, Gaza46% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ62.8
$4.25âŠ12.76
-54.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ594
$15.60âŠ46.81
18.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ241
$7.17âŠ21.51
4.60%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.3
$2.14âŠ6.41
-9.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.08
$0.74âŠ2.22
5.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.42
$0.49âŠ1.46
-34.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.2
$2.86âŠ8.58
-24.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$8.56âŠ25.68
-56.66%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.2
$1.61âŠ4.83
6.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.3
$0.82âŠ2.47
90.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.06
$2.18âŠ6.54
-45.87%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ63.9
$1.95âŠ5.84
1.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ517
$4.75âŠ14.25
237.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ102
$5.99âŠ17.98
-47.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ353
$12.64âŠ37.93
-13.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ84.7
$1.21âŠ3.64
117.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.61
$1.06âŠ3.19
10.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.0
$1.11âŠ3.34
48.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.51
$0.67âŠ2.01
129.85%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.34
$0.81âŠ2.42
70.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.54
$0.80âŠ2.40
46.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.25
$0.87âŠ2.60
-24.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.55
$0.60âŠ1.80
-15.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$7.23âŠ21.68
-37.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ590
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ57.9
$2.47âŠ7.42
-27.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ102
$3.77âŠ11.30
-15.65%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ28.97
$0.55âŠ1.64
63.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ612
$29.90âŠ89.7
-36.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.50
$1.42âŠ4.27
-0.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.15
$1.41âŠ4.23
-7.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ261
$5.74âŠ17.22
40.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.08
$1.94âŠ5.81
-34.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
$30.6KâŠ91.7K
-30.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
$23.2KâŠ69.7K
-6.63%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,230
$87.6âŠ263
-21.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ450
$14.05âŠ42.16
-0.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ578
$38.98âŠ117
-53.95%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,363
$19.79âŠ59.4
113.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ214
$12.89âŠ38.67
-48.33%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ191
$11.13âŠ33.38
-46.81%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,640
$132âŠ397
126.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
$2,425âŠ7,276
512.29%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,810
$23.89âŠ71.7
135.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ868
$22.16âŠ66.5
21.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,735
$87.4âŠ262
-2.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,314
$38.16âŠ114
88.23%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.0K
$189âŠ567
130.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,727
$122âŠ365
96.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.7K
$258âŠ773
209.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$172âŠ517
189.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gaza
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.2K
$119âŠ358
426.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
7.58
-34.04%
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 Gaza: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $189 in Gaza. 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 426% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $16 in Gaza. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $178 â making Gaza 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 Gaza: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Gaza?
Chiang Mai costs about 17% more than Gaza, 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 Gaza?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,087 in Gaza. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Gaza?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gaza, 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 Gaza?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $132 in Gaza. 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 Gaza?
Groceries cost about 37% 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.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or Gaza?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $845 in Chiang Mai and $724 in Gaza, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Gaza?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gaza costs $724 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Gaza?
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 Gaza?
If budget matters most, go with Gaza. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared