ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,750 in Getafe, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,548 in Getafe, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,347 in Getafe, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 51% cheaper than Getafe, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChiang Mai sits 36% below the global median, while Getafe is 31% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$17.22âŽ14.74
-88.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$68.7âŽ58.8
-72.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$10.24âŽ8.76
-22.66%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$2.35âŽ2.01
-18.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$3.19âŽ2.73
-73.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$2.09âŽ1.79
-83.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$3.42âŽ2.92
-35.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$4.66âŽ3.99
-18.45%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.13âŽ0.97
45.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$1.06âŽ0.91
52.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.66âŽ1.42
-28.92%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$2.73âŽ2.34
-26.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$14.74âŽ12.62
7.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$9.30âŽ7.96
-67.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$17.20âŽ14.72
-37.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.64âŽ2.26
-1.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$2.13âŽ1.83
-42.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.99âŽ1.70
-14.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$2.79âŽ2.38
-43.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$2.13âŽ1.82
-38.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$1.98âŽ1.70
-40.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.33âŽ1.14
-49.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.62âŽ0.53
-9.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$6.53âŽ5.59
-30.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$8.42âŽ7.21
116.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.22âŽ1.04
50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.24âŽ1.92
44.20%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$1.65âŽ1.41
-46.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$33.68âŽ28.83
-42.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$4.00âŽ3.43
-66.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$1.38âŽ1.18
-2.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$23.68âŽ20.27
-65.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.77âŽ1.52
-28.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$37.9KâŽ32.5K
-44.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$34.4KâŽ29.4K
-34.57%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$195âŽ167
-63.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$21.64âŽ18.52
-36.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$31.89âŽ27.30
-44.81%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$47.42âŽ40.59
-12.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$14.80âŽ12.67
-55.41%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$10.40âŽ8.90
-44.42%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$266âŽ228
14.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$6,931âŽ5,933
113.89%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$94.5âŽ80.9
-42.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$36.86âŽ31.55
-29.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$91.1âŽ78.0
-7.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$94.4âŽ80.8
-26.46%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$964âŽ825
-56.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$686âŽ587
-65.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$1,329âŽ1,138
-37.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$1,018âŽ871
-49.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$2,816âŽ2,410
-27.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$2,466âŽ2,111
-38.24%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Getafe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$1,778âŽ1,522
-64.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.43
45.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Getafe: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $964 in Getafe. 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 180% higher in Getafe, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $69.0 in Getafe. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $280 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 Getafe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Getafe?
Getafe costs about 105% 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 Getafe?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,625 in Getafe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Getafe?
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 Getafe?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $266 in Getafe. 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 Getafe?
Groceries cost about 15% more in Getafe, 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 Getafe?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Getafe at $1,750. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Getafe it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Getafe?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,750 in Getafe. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Getafe?
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 Getafe?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Getafe makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared