😐A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $328 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $523 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $718 in Gorakhpur, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 164% more than Gorakhpur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Gorakhpur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai35% lower, Gorakhpur76% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94฿63.6
$2.28₹218
-14.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64฿609
$9.92₹950
87.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82฿256
$3.40₹326
130.00%
Cappuccino
$1.95฿63.9
$1.28₹123
52.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85฿27.80
$0.40₹37.85
112.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.60
$0.15₹14.43
133.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13฿69.7
$1.59₹152
33.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73฿122
$2.38₹228
56.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71฿56.0
$0.64₹61.6
167.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.3
$0.45₹42.96
262.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14฿37.18
$0.62₹59.2
83.87%
Eggs
$1.93฿63.2
$1.02₹97.5
89.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.21฿530
$3.14₹300
416.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12฿102
$2.38₹227
31.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90฿356
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.75฿90.1
$1.35₹129
103.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21฿39.56
$0.72₹69.1
68.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿53.0
$1.07₹102
51.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59฿51.9
$0.55₹52.5
189.09%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40฿45.75
$0.35₹33.03
300.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.20
$0.37₹35.64
216.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66฿21.62
$0.48₹46.15
37.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.24
$0.28₹26.44
89.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69฿153
$2.53₹242
85.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.66฿610
$6.30₹603
196.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80฿58.8
$1.73₹166
4.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$2.30₹220
40.43%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$2.61₹250
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90฿29.28
$0.43₹40.81
109.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.21฿628
$11.46₹1,097
67.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿45.96
$0.96₹91.8
46.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29฿42.16
$0.10₹10.02
1190.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$2.27₹217
245.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.62
$1.22₹117
4.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K฿695.5K
$14.8K₹1.4M
43.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K฿726.1K
$33.0K₹3.2M
-32.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.1฿2,258
$38.39₹3,674
79.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08฿460
$3.27₹312
330.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00฿588
$7.33₹702
145.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.06฿1,342
$12.86₹1,231
219.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$2.34₹224
197.44%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92฿193
$1.91₹182
209.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299฿9,775
$25.81₹2,470
1058.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K฿488.8K
$824₹78.8K
1715.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7฿1,788
$17.28₹1,654
216.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77฿875
$14.08₹1,348
90.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.0฿2,778
$25.91₹2,479
228.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6฿2,308
$18.62₹1,782
279.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$428฿14.0K
$92.4₹8,846
363.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237฿7,759
$69.9₹6,691
239.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$801฿26.2K
$186₹17.8K
331.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.9K
$174₹16.7K
196.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975฿64.5K
$673₹64.4K
193.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,475฿48.2K
$608₹58.2K
142.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gorakhpur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617฿20.2K
$387₹37.0K
59.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
9.05
-44.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Last update for Gorakhpur: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $92.4 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 60% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $10.00 in Gorakhpur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $90.0 – 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 164% 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 vs Gorakhpur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $492 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 Gorakhpur?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $25.81 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 Gorakhpur?
Groceries cost about 175% 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 Gorakhpur?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $328 in Gorakhpur, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Gorakhpur?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gorakhpur costs $328 versus $866 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 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