Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Jizan Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Jizan

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $914 in Jizan, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,526 in Jizan, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,137 in Jizan, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 2% more than Jizan, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chiang Mai and Jizan are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Jizan 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.2

$5.26 SAR 19.76

-60.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿652

$36.59 SAR 137

-46.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$7.37 SAR 27.68

-23.07%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 SAR 6.43

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 SAR 6.87

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.0

$3.27 SAR 12.29

-44.65%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 ฿25.55

$0.77 SAR 2.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.48

$0.26 SAR 0.97

34.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.1

$1.68 SAR 6.32

22.02%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

$0.97 SAR 3.64

55.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.51

$2.25 SAR 8.43

-37.78%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.1

$2.98 SAR 11.19

-24.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿538

$7.56 SAR 28.38

114.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.3

$5.28 SAR 19.81

-45.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿313

$14.38 SAR 54.0

-34.49%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.1

$1.88 SAR 7.05

42.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.23

$1.57 SAR 5.88

-30.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

$2.13 SAR 8.01

-23.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.55

$1.44 SAR 5.42

1.39%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.48

$1.41 SAR 5.31

-9.22%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.17

$1.50 SAR 5.62

-29.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.85

$1.22 SAR 4.59

-40.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.49

$0.79 SAR 2.96

-32.91%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.58 SAR 5.95

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 SAR 7.23

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 SAR 6.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$6.61 SAR 24.82

-36.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿608

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.20

$1.09 SAR 4.09

-19.27%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,788

$23.60 SAR 88.6

127.84%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿38.99

$2.69 SAR 10.10

-56.51%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.22

$3.35 SAR 12.58

-82.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.3

$15.73 SAR 59.1

-84.81%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.22

$0.59 SAR 2.23

145.76%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.0K ฿698.6K

$44.0K SAR 165.3K

-52.26%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K ฿878.6K

$17.4K SAR 65.2K

52.19%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.7 ฿2,116

$105 SAR 394

-39.30%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.89 ฿429

$37.02 SAR 139

-65.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿682

$64.1 SAR 241

-67.98%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,297

$97.0 SAR 364

-59.77%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

$38.06 SAR 143

-89.70%

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

$16.17 SAR 60.7

-59.31%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$784 ฿26.1K

$198 SAR 742

296.85%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿487.9K

$4,179 SAR 15.7K

251.13%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,833

$33.14 SAR 124

66.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿823

$53.7 SAR 202

-53.95%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,130

$121 SAR 453

-22.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,459

$46.64 SAR 175

58.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

$271 SAR 1,017

81.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,582

$134 SAR 502

115.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.6K

$473 SAR 1,777

88.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

$363 SAR 1,361

43.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.6K

$791 SAR 2,971

149.46%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

$1,609 SAR 6,042

-62.61%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

11.40%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Jizan: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $271 in Jizan. 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 167% higher in Jizan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $37.00 in Jizan. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $196 in Jizan – so Jizan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Jizan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 2% more than Jizan, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,372 in Jizan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jizan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $198 in Jizan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 23% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Jizan, where all-in costs run around $914, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Jizan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jizan costs $914 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Jizan. 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.