ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $344 in Jharsuguda, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $556 in Jharsuguda, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $768 in Jharsuguda, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 148% more than Jharsuguda, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Jharsuguda are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Jharsuguda74% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$2.36âđ224
-16.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$9.25âđ878
103.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$4.52âđ429
75.22%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.51âđ143
26.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.33âđ31.57
154.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.14âđ13.49
150.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$1.65âđ156
33.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$1.83âđ174
107.65%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.64âđ61.2
156.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.48âđ45.55
237.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.56âđ53.4
110.71%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$0.93âđ88.1
116.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$3.76âđ357
322.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.82âđ268
6.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.30âđ219
13.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.70âđ66.8
74.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.36âđ129
25.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.58âđ54.9
172.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.24âđ22.89
450.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.53âđ50.5
120.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.43âđ40.92
55.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.35âđ33.66
60.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$4.01âđ381
12.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$7.20âđ684
152.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.84âđ174
-0.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.06âđ101
204.72%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$8.81âđ836
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.28âđ26.57
217.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.50âđ807
128.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$1.19âđ113
13.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.14âđ12.87
864.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$2.38âđ226
246.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.20âđ114
5.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$11.7Kâđ1.1M
80.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$27.0Kâđ2.6M
-16.77%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$20.98âđ1,992
234.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$3.22âđ306
327.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$5.31âđ504
231.45%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$15.74âđ1,494
164.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$6.89âđ655
-4.21%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$3.53âđ335
63.74%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$86.3âđ8,196
254.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$2,014âđ191.2K
636.00%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$27.06âđ2,569
100.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$28.41âđ2,697
-7.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$26.02âđ2,470
224.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$13.15âđ1,249
427.98%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$91.0âđ8,641
365.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$75.7âđ7,185
214.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$279âđ26.5K
195.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$183âđ17.3K
182.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Jharsuguda
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$679âđ64.4K
-6.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8.33
-39.98%
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 Jharsuguda: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $91.0 in Jharsuguda. 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 7% higher in Jharsuguda, which reinforces the cost advantage â you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $9.00 in Jharsuguda. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $100 â making Jharsuguda 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 Jharsuguda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Jharsuguda?
Chiang Mai costs about 148% more than Jharsuguda, 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 Jharsuguda?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $516 in Jharsuguda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Jharsuguda?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jharsuguda, 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 Jharsuguda?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $86.3 in Jharsuguda. 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 Jharsuguda?
Groceries cost about 143% 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 Jharsuguda?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $344 in Jharsuguda, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Jharsuguda?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jharsuguda costs $344 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 Jharsuguda?
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 Jharsuguda?
If budget matters most, go with Jharsuguda. 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