Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Gresik

For one person, living is cheaper in Gresik: $593 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $4,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Gresik, Indonesia
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Gresik
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$593
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Gresik

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Gresik actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $593 in Gresik, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Gresik $593

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $903 in Gresik, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Gresik $903

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,213 in Gresik, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Gresik $1,213

Chiang Mai costs about 58% more than Gresik, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Gresik are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Gresik 56% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$1.08 Rp 19.5K
107.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$9.76 Rp 175.9K
94.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$3.00 Rp 54.1K
85.00%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$1.61 Rp 28.9K
3.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$0.42 Rp 7,608
52.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$0.22 Rp 3,968
40.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$2.15 Rp 38.8K
9.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$2.06 Rp 37.1K
77.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$1.19 Rp 21.4K
63.87%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$1.26 Rp 22.8K
14.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$0.89 Rp 16.0K
49.44%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$1.09 Rp 19.6K
109.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$7.72 Rp 139.1K
113.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.97 Rp 53.5K
-6.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$7.29 Rp 131.5K
27.71%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$1.99 Rp 35.8K
18.09%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$1.24 Rp 22.4K
-21.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$1.82 Rp 32.8K
-12.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$1.51 Rp 27.3K
-0.66%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$1.35 Rp 24.3K
-5.19%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$1.94 Rp 35.0K
-43.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$0.75 Rp 13.6K
-5.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$0.40 Rp 7,163
22.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$1.82 Rp 32.9K
127.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$10.97 Rp 197.7K
59.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.73 Rp 31.2K
-6.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.77 Rp 49.9K
0.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.23 Rp 4,148
278.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
$11.74 Rp 211.6K
360.73%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$0.50 Rp 8,928
132.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
$0.43 Rp 7,747
23.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$2.66 Rp 47.9K
-9.02%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$0.80 Rp 14.4K
81.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$35.7K Rp 642.7M
-40.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$25.2K Rp 454.3M
6.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$84.7 Rp 1.5M
-26.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$4.68 Rp 84.4K
160.04%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$19.38 Rp 349.3K
3.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$23.57 Rp 424.9K
58.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$8.38 Rp 151.0K
-55.01%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$2.54 Rp 45.8K
155.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
$52.9 Rp 953.2K
1292.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
$9,259 Rp 166.9M
59.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$41.12 Rp 741.2K
29.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$22.39 Rp 403.5K
10.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$75.0 Rp 1.4M
22.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$73.9 Rp 1.3M
-2.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$167 Rp 3.0M
189.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$114 Rp 2.1M
171.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$307 Rp 5.5M
227.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$241 Rp 4.3M
162.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$1,216 Rp 21.9M
94.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
$906 Rp 16.3M
75.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gresik
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$108 Rp 2.0M
444.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
7.5
-25.73%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Gresik: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Gresik
$114 63.1% $195
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Gresik
$176 24.8% $58
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Gresik
$96 12% $13
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Gresik
$109 15.2% $14
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Gresik
$54 29.9% $23
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Gresik
$15 75.1% $46
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Gresik
$29 43% $22

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $167 in Gresik. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Chiang Mai are about 5.4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $10 in Gresik. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $176 – making Gresik the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇮🇩 Gresik
🕒 Local time
18:57 6:57 PM
18:57 6:57 PM
Same time as Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 18,025 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.55 USD). 1 EUR = 20,061 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Gresik 3,250 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Gresik

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Gresik: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Gresik?
Chiang Mai costs about 58% more than Gresik, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Gresik?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $889 in Gresik. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Gresik?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gresik, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $167 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Gresik?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $53 in Gresik. 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 Gresik?
Groceries cost about 33% 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.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Gresik – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Gresik?
If budget matters most, go with Gresik. 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.

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