😐A single person spends $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $190 in Inhambane, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $314 in Inhambane, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $439 in Inhambane, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 385% more than Inhambane, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Inhambane are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai33% lower, Inhambane86% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11฿69.1
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.75฿648
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.85฿192
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.76฿57.8
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74฿24.37
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33฿10.90
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.47฿81.0
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88฿127
-
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90฿62.4
$5.38MZN 340
-64.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.67฿54.7
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35฿44.24
$1.04MZN 65.5
29.81%
Eggs
$2.14฿70.2
$1.85MZN 117
15.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89฿521
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.83฿92.9
$5.59MZN 354
-49.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.53฿345
$4.76MZN 301
121.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38฿78.2
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.07฿35.01
$3.21MZN 203
-66.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52฿49.79
$2.40MZN 152
-36.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50฿49.30
$1.52MZN 96.0
-1.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28฿41.96
$2.28MZN 144
-43.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10฿36.17
$1.59MZN 101
-30.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.69฿22.54
$0.77MZN 48.45
-10.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49฿16.18
$0.65MZN 41.42
-24.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27฿140
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$16.78฿550
$7.79MZN 493
115.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66฿54.4
$0.74MZN 47.09
124.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81฿92.3
$0.93MZN 58.6
202.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90฿29.44
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$54.9฿1,801
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.20฿39.24
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.54฿17.78
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.37฿77.9
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43฿46.88
$1.43MZN 90.5
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K฿691.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K฿890.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$64.7฿2,124
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.19฿433
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.44฿638
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.45฿1,294
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77฿124
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.62฿217
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$805฿26.4K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1K฿496.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8฿1,796
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.43฿834
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.9฿3,015
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.7฿2,449
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467฿15.3K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$282฿9,251
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891฿29.2K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521฿17.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,985฿65.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,462฿48.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Inhambane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$592฿19.4K
-
-
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: August 17, 2026
Last update for Inhambane: August 18, 2026
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 Inhambane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Inhambane?
Chiang Mai costs about 385% more than Inhambane, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Inhambane?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,380 per month in Chiang Mai and $285 in Inhambane. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai compared to Inhambane?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $920 in Chiang Mai and $190 in Inhambane. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Inhambane?
Groceries cost about 27% 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 $1,500/month in Chiang Mai or in Inhambane?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Inhambane, where all-in costs run around $190, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Inhambane it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Inhambane?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Inhambane costs $190 versus $920 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 Inhambane?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Inhambane?
If budget matters most, go with Inhambane. 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