ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $577 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $932 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,288 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 46% more than Juiz de Fora, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Juiz de Fora are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai37% lower, Juiz de Fora57% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ63.2
$3.63R$18.03
-46.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ597
$17.94R$89.0
2.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ243
$4.55R$22.56
64.84%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.6
$1.63R$8.09
18.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.22
$0.92R$4.58
-15.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.48
$0.62R$3.05
-48.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.6
$0.86R$4.27
150.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$1.78R$8.81
108.43%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.5
$0.77R$3.84
122.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.6
$1.38R$6.84
13.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.27
$1.56R$7.71
-24.36%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ64.2
$1.69R$8.38
17.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ520
$7.10R$35.23
125.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ103
$3.13R$15.52
1.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ355
$7.41R$36.73
47.64%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ85.1
$1.82R$9.02
44.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.82
$1.18R$5.85
-0.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.3
$1.09R$5.43
51.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.78
$1.33R$6.59
15.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.59
$1.03R$5.10
33.98%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.75
$0.65R$3.20
80.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.37
$0.49R$2.45
34.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.64
$0.66R$3.27
-22.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$1.07R$5.29
322.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ594
$6.06R$30.08
202.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ58.2
$0.78R$3.86
130.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ103
$1.00R$4.94
218.00%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ29.13
$0.65R$3.23
38.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ616
$30.30R$150
-37.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.76
$0.99R$4.89
42.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.39
$0.67R$3.32
95.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ262
$5.68R$28.18
42.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.31
$1.05R$5.23
21.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ689.9K
$18.1KR$89.7K
17.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ703.2K
$26.8KR$133.0K
-19.06%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,242
$58.6R$291
18.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ453
$6.73R$33.39
107.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ582
$15.97R$79.2
12.40%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,371
$17.26R$85.6
145.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ216
$25.54R$127
-73.92%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ192
$4.60R$22.82
28.70%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,694
$69.0R$342
333.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ481.1K
$2,385R$11.8K
522.69%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,820
$34.75R$172
61.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ873
$36.80R$183
-26.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,750
$54.0R$268
57.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,327
$30.10R$149
138.64%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.1K
$196R$972
122.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,771
$133R$657
80.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.8K
$454R$2,251
75.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$322R$1,599
54.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.6K
$984R$4,882
102.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.6K
$614R$3,044
149.55%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.4K
$468R$2,321
34.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10.83
-53.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Juiz de Fora: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $196 in Juiz de Fora. 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 34% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $18 in Juiz de Fora. Groceries tell a different story â $244 in Chiang Mai vs $153 in Juiz de Fora â so Juiz de Fora 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 Juiz de Fora: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Juiz de Fora?
Chiang Mai costs about 46% more than Juiz de Fora, 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 Juiz de Fora?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $865 in Juiz de Fora. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Juiz de Fora?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Juiz de Fora, 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 Juiz de Fora?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $69.0 in Juiz de Fora. 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 Juiz de Fora?
Groceries cost about 59% 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 Juiz de Fora?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $845 in Chiang Mai and $577 in Juiz de Fora, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Juiz de Fora?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Juiz de Fora costs $577 versus $845 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 Juiz de Fora?
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 Juiz de Fora?
If budget matters most, go with Juiz de Fora. 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