ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $392 in Hardoi, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $618 in Hardoi, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $844 in Hardoi, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 117% more than Hardoi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Hardoi are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Hardoi71% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$2.37âđ225
-17.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$10.31âđ978
82.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$3.70âđ351
114.05%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.59âđ151
20.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.37âđ35.27
127.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.18âđ16.87
94.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$1.72âđ163
28.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.98âđ283
27.52%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.70âđ66.6
134.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.45âđ42.51
260.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.71âđ67.6
66.20%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$0.88âđ84.0
128.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$5.04âđ479
215.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.93âđ278
2.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.05âđ194
27.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.72âđ68.5
69.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.00âđ95.0
70.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.55âđ51.8
187.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.36âđ33.92
266.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.41âđ39.03
185.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.45âđ42.46
48.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.34âđ32.75
64.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$3.83âđ364
18.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$7.21âđ685
152.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.74âđ165
5.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.81âđ267
14.95%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.17âđ491
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.30âđ28.90
196.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.61âđ818
125.09%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.77âđ73.1
75.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.26âđ24.75
419.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$1.47âđ140
461.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.21âđ115
4.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$14.0Kâđ1.3M
50.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$21.4Kâđ2.0M
4.99%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$38.32âđ3,638
83.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$3.45âđ328
299.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$7.59âđ721
131.88%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$16.20âđ1,538
156.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$7.13âđ677
-7.43%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$2.97âđ282
94.61%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$50.9âđ4,831
501.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$1,530âđ145.2K
869.14%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$24.01âđ2,279
126.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$25.69âđ2,439
1.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$42.26âđ4,012
100.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$31.22âđ2,964
122.39%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$126âđ12.0K
235.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$75.6âđ7,177
215.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$279âđ26.5K
195.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$183âđ17.4K
181.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$841âđ79.8K
143.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$544âđ51.6K
180.08%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Hardoi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$296âđ28.1K
114.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8.67
-42.33%
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 Hardoi: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $126 in Hardoi. 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 115% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $10.00 in Hardoi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $105 â making Hardoi 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 Hardoi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Hardoi?
Chiang Mai costs about 117% more than Hardoi, 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 Hardoi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $589 in Hardoi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Hardoi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hardoi, 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 Hardoi?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $50.9 in Hardoi. 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 Hardoi?
Groceries cost about 131% 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 $800/month in Chiang Mai or Hardoi?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $392 in Hardoi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Hardoi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Hardoi costs $392 versus $852 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 Hardoi?
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 Hardoi?
If budget matters most, go with Hardoi. 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