Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Hagatna

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $2,790 in Hagatna, rent and utilities included – about $22,200 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Hagatna outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hagatna, Guam
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Hagatna
🇬🇺 Guam
$2,790
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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 Hagatna actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,790 in Hagatna, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Hagatna $2,790

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,976 in Hagatna, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Hagatna $2,976

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,162 in Hagatna, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Hagatna $3,162

Chiang Mai is about 66% cheaper than Hagatna, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Hagatna is 105% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.6
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿641
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿187
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.5
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.55
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.31
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$3.83 $3.83
-49.09%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.48
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.04
-
-
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$9.56 $9.56
-76.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿555
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿93.9
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.4
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.80
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.12
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.19
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.82
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.37
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿591
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.31
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,826
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.06
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.80
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.90
$1.31 $1.31
10.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿710.7K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,098
$358 $358
-82.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$58.8 $58.8
-79.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿679
$60.9 $60.9
-66.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,259
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.8K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,801
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿831
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,087
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,428
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$2,211 $2,211
-78.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$2,236 $2,236
-86.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿33.9K
$2,418 $2,418
-58.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$2,415 $2,415
-73.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Hagatna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$6,801 $6,801
-91.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
0
-

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Hagatna: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Hagatna
–
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Hagatna
–
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Hagatna
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Hagatna
–
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Hagatna
–
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Hagatna
–
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Hagatna
–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $2,211 in Hagatna. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hagatna are about 12 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇬🇺 Hagatna
🕒 Local time
09:11 9:11 AM
12:11 12:11 PM
3 h ahead of Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
1,100 Capital
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.75 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.68 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Hagatna 4,910 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Hagatna

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 Hagatna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Hagatna?
Hagatna costs about 198% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. 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 Hagatna?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $4,185 in Hagatna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Hagatna?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $2,211 in Hagatna.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai compared to Hagatna?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $936 in Chiang Mai and $2,790 in Hagatna. That makes Chiang Mai about 66% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Hagatna?
Interestingly, groceries are about 67% cheaper in Hagatna – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Hagatna?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $2,790 in Hagatna. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Hagatna?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $2,790 in Hagatna. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Hagatna?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Hagatna?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hagatna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?