😐A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $402 in Jorhat, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $626 in Jorhat, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $849 in Jorhat, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 116% more than Jorhat, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Jorhat are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai35% lower, Jorhat70% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98฿64.3
$1.44₹137
37.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80฿612
$10.59₹1,007
77.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75฿252
$5.79₹551
33.85%
Cappuccino
$1.92฿62.5
$1.69₹161
13.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79฿25.79
$0.36₹34.52
119.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.62
$0.12₹11.73
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$1.42₹135
55.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66฿119
$3.16₹301
15.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿53.8
$0.75₹71.7
120.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.2
$0.33₹31.41
393.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿38.86
$0.54₹51.3
120.37%
Eggs
$2.00฿65.1
$0.97₹92.7
106.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98฿520
$4.40₹419
263.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03฿98.5
$3.25₹309
-6.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86฿354
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.76฿90.0
$0.97₹92.0
184.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18฿38.42
$0.73₹69.8
61.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64฿53.5
$0.95₹90.2
72.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.51
$0.83₹79.1
83.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿45.10
$0.31₹29.54
345.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19฿38.84
$0.38₹36.51
213.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70฿22.86
$0.22₹20.88
218.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.13
$0.30₹28.82
86.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58฿149
$2.93₹279
56.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56฿539
$7.23₹688
129.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿59.5
$1.49₹141
22.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20฿104
$2.87₹273
11.50%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.24₹404
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿28.56
$0.15₹14.62
486.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72฿610
$8.84₹841
111.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿44.16
$0.75₹71.4
81.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿43.65
$0.26₹24.85
415.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$1.42₹135
452.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿39.92
$1.16₹110
6.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K฿704.3K
$14.2K₹1.3M
52.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿734.3K
$18.0K₹1.7M
25.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5฿2,298
$40.54₹3,856
74.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68฿445
$3.44₹327
297.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45฿568
$4.52₹430
286.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33฿1,346
$28.69₹2,728
44.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$2.31₹220
201.30%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77฿188
$2.95₹280
95.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307฿10.0K
$32.72₹3,112
838.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿475.9K
$1,931₹183.6K
656.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,817
$25.70₹2,444
117.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21฿854
$35.51₹3,377
-26.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8฿2,793
$46.70₹4,441
83.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2฿2,353
$43.39₹4,126
66.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430฿14.0K
$126₹12.0K
241.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿7,774
$76.3₹7,254
212.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817฿26.6K
$275₹26.2K
196.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511฿16.6K
$184₹17.5K
178.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983฿64.6K
$889₹84.5K
123.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484฿48.3K
$573₹54.5K
158.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Jorhat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619฿20.2K
$680₹64.7K
-8.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
7.38
-32.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for Jorhat: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $126 in Jorhat. 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 10% higher in Jorhat, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $11.00 in Jorhat. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $97.0 – making Jorhat 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 Jorhat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Jorhat?
Chiang Mai costs about 116% more than Jorhat, 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 Jorhat?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $603 in Jorhat. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Jorhat?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jorhat, 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 Jorhat?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $32.72 in Jorhat. 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 Jorhat?
Groceries cost about 147% 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 $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Jorhat?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $402 in Jorhat, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Jorhat?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jorhat costs $402 versus $869 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 Jorhat?
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 Jorhat?
If budget matters most, go with Jorhat. 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