Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Hisar

For one person, living is cheaper in Hisar: $319 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $7,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hisar, India
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Hisar
🇮🇳 India
$319
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $319 in Hisar, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Hisar $319

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $495 in Hisar, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Hisar $495

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $671 in Hisar, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Hisar $671

Chiang Mai costs about 193% more than Hisar, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Hisar are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Hisar 77% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.6
$2.06 ₹195
8.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿641
$6.20 ₹588
206.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿187
$3.49 ₹331
59.03%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.5
$1.02 ₹96.7
63.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.55
$0.35 ₹32.83
82.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.31
$0.18 ₹16.87
72.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$2.08 ₹198
13.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$3.17 ₹301
15.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$0.72 ₹68.6
170.83%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.48
$0.48 ₹45.14
200.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.04
$0.83 ₹79.2
60.24%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$0.94 ₹89.2
142.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿555
$5.21 ₹495
215.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$2.59 ₹246
7.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.4
$1.28 ₹122
83.59%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.80
$0.71 ₹67.5
36.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$0.65 ₹61.6
146.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
$0.67 ₹63.5
123.88%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.12
$0.30 ₹28.76
326.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.19
$0.34 ₹32.41
223.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.82
$0.34 ₹31.89
108.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.37
$0.29 ₹27.66
68.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$5.00 ₹475
-17.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿591
$4.90 ₹465
257.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.72 ₹163
-6.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$1.92 ₹182
44.79%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$3.33 ₹316
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.31
$0.43 ₹41.22
102.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,826
$8.26 ₹784
554.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.06
$0.51 ₹48.89
127.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.80
$0.20 ₹18.95
165.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$1.59 ₹151
52.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.90
$1.07 ₹102
35.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿710.7K
$11.5K ₹1.1M
83.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.3K
$20.4K ₹1.9M
31.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,098
$38.27 ₹3,633
62.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$3.66 ₹347
232.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿679
$6.84 ₹649
194.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,259
$12.62 ₹1,198
195.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$5.96 ₹566
-36.74%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$2.57 ₹244
152.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.8K
$58.7 ₹5,568
1155.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.3K
$1,780 ₹169.0K
729.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,801
$23.01 ₹2,184
131.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿831
$18.27 ₹1,735
34.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,087
$34.79 ₹3,303
162.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,428
$22.96 ₹2,180
213.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$76.8 ₹7,290
528.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$45.70 ₹4,339
575.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿33.9K
$196 ₹18.6K
414.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$111 ₹10.5K
473.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$1,386 ₹131.6K
70.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.6K
$518 ₹49.2K
206.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Hisar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$328 ₹31.1K
79.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
8
-30.37%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Hisar: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Hisar
$46 85.2% $263
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Hisar
$93 60.4% $141
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Hisar
$45 59% $64
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Hisar
$49 48.4% $46
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Hisar
$58 25.2% $20
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Hisar
$12 81.2% $50
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Hisar
$18 64.7% $33

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $77 in Hisar. 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 80% 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 in Chiang Mai versus $6 in Hisar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $93 – making Hisar the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇮🇳 Hisar
🕒 Local time
16:04 4:04 PM
14:34 2:34 PM
1 h 30 min behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
301,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, 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 = 37.66 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 94.94 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.44 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Hisar 2,620 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Hisar

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 Hisar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Hisar?
Chiang Mai costs about 193% more than Hisar, 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 Hisar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $479 in Hisar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Hisar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hisar, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $77 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Hisar?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $59 in Hisar. 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 Hisar?
Groceries cost about 152% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Hisar – 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 Hisar?
If budget matters most, go with Hisar. If higher salaries 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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