ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $986 in Gurjaani, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,178 in Gurjaani, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,371 in Gurjaani, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 14% cheaper than Gurjaani, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Gurjaani are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Gurjaani26% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$5.34âū14.38
-63.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$21.73âū58.5
-13.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$5.32âū14.32
48.87%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.13âū3.03
69.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.46âū1.24
82.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.27âū0.73
29.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$0.90âū2.42
145.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$1.67âū4.50
127.54%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.48âū3.98
10.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.40âū1.08
305.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.92âū2.48
28.26%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.75âū4.72
14.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$5.44âū14.64
192.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.86âū7.69
5.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$6.75âū18.16
59.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$0.74âū1.99
252.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$1.44âū3.88
-15.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.88âū5.05
-9.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$1.11âū2.99
42.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.28âū0.74
371.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.69âū1.85
69.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.75âū2.02
-10.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.46âū1.23
21.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$3.02âū8.12
50.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$3.76âū10.10
384.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.00âū2.69
83.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.71âū4.61
88.89%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.19âū0.50
368.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$5.41âū14.54
258.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$1.13âū3.03
19.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.73âū1.97
84.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$3.55âū9.55
132.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$0.92âū2.46
38.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$18.5Kâū49.8K
14.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$20.2Kâū54.3K
11.30%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$39.74âū107
76.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$5.58âū15.02
146.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$15.04âū40.46
17.02%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$18.10âū48.69
129.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$6.45âū17.36
-10.39%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$264âū709
16.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$5,113âū13.8K
189.95%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$77.7âū209
-30.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$44.99âū121
-41.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$116âū313
-27.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$110âū295
-36.78%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$291âū783
45.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$514âū1,383
-53.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$389âū1,046
112.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$255âū687
101.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$517âū1,391
296.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$377âū1,013
304.25%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gurjaani
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$387âū1,042
63.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
11.89
-57.95%
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 Gurjaani: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $291 in Gurjaani. 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 64% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage â you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $22.00 in Gurjaani. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $132 in Gurjaani â so Gurjaani 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 Gurjaani: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Gurjaani?
Gurjaani costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Gurjaani?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,479 in Gurjaani. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Gurjaani?
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 Gurjaani?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $264 in Gurjaani. 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 Gurjaani?
Interestingly, groceries are about 84% cheaper in Gurjaani â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or Gurjaani?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $986 in Gurjaani, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Gurjaani?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $986 in Gurjaani. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Gurjaani?
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 Gurjaani?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Gurjaani makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared