Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Iowa City, IA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Iowa City, IA

πŸ™‚ Solo nomad: Chiang Mai is 48.3% cheaper than Iowa City, IA without rent, and 62.2% cheaper with rent.
πŸ™‚ Family of 3: Chiang Mai is 52.4% cheaper than Iowa City, IA without rent, and 55.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.02 ΰΈΏ65.3
$15.27 $15.27
-86.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.78 ΰΈΏ608
$75.8 $75.8
-75.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.67 ΰΈΏ248
$8.76 $8.76
-12.44%
Cappuccino
$1.98 ΰΈΏ64.2
$5.26 $5.26
-62.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 ΰΈΏ26.64
$2.38 $2.38
-65.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ΰΈΏ10.58
$1.79 $1.79
-81.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.12 ΰΈΏ68.6
$5.05 $5.05
-58.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ΰΈΏ121
$7.11 $7.11
-47.54%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.64 ΰΈΏ53.2
$0.87 $0.87
88.51%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ΰΈΏ50.9
$2.75 $2.75
-42.91%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 ΰΈΏ38.62
$4.74 $4.74
-74.89%
Eggs
$1.98 ΰΈΏ64.1
$4.09 $4.09
-51.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.99 ΰΈΏ517
$9.32 $9.32
71.57%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.12 ΰΈΏ101
$10.46 $10.46
-70.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.16 ΰΈΏ361
$16.66 $16.66
-33.01%
Apples (1kg)
$2.76 ΰΈΏ89.2
$3.29 $3.29
-16.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.22 ΰΈΏ39.5
$1.16 $1.16
5.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 ΰΈΏ55.4
$2.76 $2.76
-38.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.55 ΰΈΏ50.2
$4.64 $4.64
-66.59%
Potato (1kg)
$1.34 ΰΈΏ43.21
$2.05 $2.05
-34.63%
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 ΰΈΏ39.23
$2.86 $2.86
-57.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ΰΈΏ23.2
$2.01 $2.01
-64.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ΰΈΏ17.05
$1.97 $1.97
-73.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.72 ΰΈΏ153
$9.21 $9.21
-48.75%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.39 ΰΈΏ595
$12.1 $12.1
51.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 ΰΈΏ57.9
$1.76 $1.76
1.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 ΰΈΏ104
$4.69 $4.69
-31.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.94 ΰΈΏ30.44
$2.02 $2.02
-53.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.9 ΰΈΏ612
$15.78 $15.78
19.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ΰΈΏ46.08
$4.54 $4.54
-68.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 ΰΈΏ43.53
$2.22 $2.22
-39.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.85 ΰΈΏ254
$42.62 $42.62
-81.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 ΰΈΏ40.4
$0.83 $0.83
50.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ΰΈΏ684.9K
$24.9K $24.9K
-15.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K ΰΈΏ706.8K
$25.5K $25.5K
-14.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.6 ΰΈΏ2,285
$219 $219
-67.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.72 ΰΈΏ444
$50.2 $50.2
-72.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.56 ΰΈΏ568
$73.8 $73.8
-76.20%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.64 ΰΈΏ1,347
$48.89 $48.89
-14.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.9 ΰΈΏ223
$20.26 $20.26
-65.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.8 ΰΈΏ188
$12.21 $12.21
-52.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$308 ΰΈΏ9,963
$1,252 $1,252
-75.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ΰΈΏ475.8K
$24.9K $24.9K
-41.01%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4 ΰΈΏ1,793
$67.1 $67.1
-17.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.4 ΰΈΏ854
$47.76 $47.76
-44.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.1 ΰΈΏ2,755
$98.3 $98.3
-13.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8 ΰΈΏ2,323
$116 $116
-38.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$434 ΰΈΏ14K
$1,227 $1,227
-64.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$235 ΰΈΏ7,610
$1,105 $1,105
-78.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$821 ΰΈΏ26.6K
$2,402 $2,402
-65.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$498 ΰΈΏ16.1K
$1,549 $1,549
-67.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,180 ΰΈΏ70.6K
$3,842 $3,842
-43.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,543 ΰΈΏ49.9K
$1,800 $1,800
-14.27%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Iowa City, IA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$703 ΰΈΏ22.8K
$3,808 $3,808
-81.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
6.43
-22.24%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 29, 2025

Last update for Iowa City, IA: October 29, 2025

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