😐A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $287 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $466 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $646 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 230% more than Gorakhpur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Gorakhpur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai31% lower, Gorakhpur79% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08฿68.6
$2.04₹193
1.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.64฿646
$9.68₹914
102.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.65฿186
$3.20₹302
76.56%
Cappuccino
$1.81฿59.4
$0.94₹89.0
92.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71฿23.45
$0.36₹33.60
97.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32฿10.38
$0.13₹12.62
146.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24฿73.6
$1.43₹135
56.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63฿119
$2.10₹199
72.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.96฿64.4
$0.63₹59.9
211.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.50฿49.39
$0.34₹32.00
341.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34฿43.93
$0.53₹50.5
152.83%
Eggs
$2.26฿74.5
$0.89₹84.4
153.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.26฿535
$3.13₹296
419.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.95฿97.1
$2.24₹212
31.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.94฿327
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.57฿84.6
$1.27₹120
102.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06฿34.73
$0.70₹66.4
51.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61฿53.0
$0.96₹90.7
67.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.97
$0.42₹39.25
261.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27฿41.77
$0.29₹27.16
337.93%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07฿35.06
$0.34₹32.21
214.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72฿23.68
$0.44₹41.14
63.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51฿16.72
$0.27₹25.45
88.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19฿138
$5.03₹476
-16.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.87฿587
$6.40₹605
179.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69฿55.7
$1.64₹155
3.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84฿93.3
$2.13₹201
33.33%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$6.73₹636
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93฿30.43
$0.38₹36.27
144.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$53.9฿1,771
$10.39₹982
418.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.23฿40.59
$1.34₹127
-8.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58฿18.96
$0.12₹11.04
383.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.42฿79.7
$2.14₹202
13.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.41฿46.43
$1.05₹99.3
34.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿705.1K
$13.8K₹1.3M
55.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K฿898.7K
$28.0K₹2.6M
-2.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.7฿2,093
$17.13₹1,619
271.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.85฿423
$2.79₹264
360.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.22฿665
$6.64₹627
204.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.74฿1,274
$10.45₹987
270.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.97฿130
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.74฿222
$1.67₹158
303.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$778฿25.6K
$23.94₹2,262
3149.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿480.4K
$746₹70.5K
1858.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.3฿1,785
$18.76₹1,772
189.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.45฿837
$12.36₹1,168
105.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.3฿3,102
$26.50₹2,503
255.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.4฿2,415
$12.56₹1,187
484.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490฿16.1K
$85.0₹8,032
475.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$289฿9,512
$62.8₹5,931
360.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$894฿29.4K
$167₹15.8K
435.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$517฿17.0K
$157₹14.9K
228.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,955฿64.3K
$686₹64.8K
184.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,477฿48.6K
$631₹59.6K
134.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602฿19.8K
$395₹37.3K
52.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
9
-38.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Last update for Gorakhpur: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $85.0 in Gorakhpur. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 53% 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 $10.00 in Gorakhpur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $240 vs $84.0 – making Gorakhpur 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 Gorakhpur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Gorakhpur?
Chiang Mai costs about 230% more than Gorakhpur, 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 and in Gorakhpur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $430 in Gorakhpur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Gorakhpur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gorakhpur, 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 in Gorakhpur?
Kindergarten costs $778 per month in Chiang Mai and $23.94 in Gorakhpur. 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 in Gorakhpur?
Groceries cost about 185% 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 $2,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Gorakhpur?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Gorakhpur, where all-in costs run around $287, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Gorakhpur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Gorakhpur?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gorakhpur costs $287 versus $947 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 Gorakhpur?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Gorakhpur?
If budget matters most, go with Gorakhpur. 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