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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $432 in Goma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $746 in Goma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,061 in Goma, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 119% more than Goma, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Goma are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Goma 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.6

$14.86 CDF 33.6K

-86.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

$45.24 CDF 102.4K

-56.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

$9.81 CDF 22.2K

-42.41%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.4

$3.46 CDF 7,823

-47.69%

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

$0.71 ฿23.45

$1.02 CDF 2,303

-30.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$1.02 CDF 2,309

-68.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.6

$1.22 CDF 2,764

83.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

$5.03 CDF 11.4K

-27.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$0.97 CDF 2,207

102.06%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.93

$1.17 CDF 2,646

14.53%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.5

$1.59 CDF 3,604

42.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿535

$6.16 CDF 13.9K

163.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$2.44 CDF 5,534

20.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

$4.94 CDF 11.2K

101.21%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.6

$2.02 CDF 4,564

27.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.73

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$1.54 CDF 3,477

4.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.97

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.77

$0.48 CDF 1,077

164.58%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.68

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$0.68 CDF 1,542

-25.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$1.97 CDF 4,463

-14.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.3

$2.54 CDF 5,741

11.81%

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

$15.06 CDF 34.1K

-14.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

$58.9 CDF 133.3K

-65.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$29.45 CDF 66.7K

31.54%

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

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 Goma: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $45.00 in Goma. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $107 in Goma – so Goma 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 Goma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 119% more than Goma, 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 $648 in Goma. 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 $432 in Goma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 125% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Goma, where all-in costs run around $432, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Goma 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. Goma costs $432 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 Goma. 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.