😐A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $574 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $935 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,295 in Juiz de Fora, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 51% more than Juiz de Fora, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Juiz de Fora are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai35% lower, Juiz de Fora57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94฿63.9
$3.55R$18.45
-45.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64฿613
$17.91R$93.0
4.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82฿257
$4.47R$23.19
74.94%
Cappuccino
$1.95฿64.2
$1.55R$8.07
25.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85฿27.95
$1.00R$5.20
-15.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.66
$0.65R$3.39
-46.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13฿70.1
$0.92R$4.77
131.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73฿123
$1.78R$9.23
109.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71฿56.3
$0.80R$4.13
113.75%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.5
$1.41R$7.32
15.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14฿37.39
$1.59R$8.28
-28.30%
Eggs
$1.93฿63.5
$1.69R$8.75
14.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.21฿533
$7.21R$37.45
124.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12฿103
$3.00R$15.60
4.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90฿358
$7.13R$37.02
52.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.75฿90.6
$1.85R$9.59
48.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21฿39.78
$1.14R$5.91
6.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿53.3
$1.05R$5.47
54.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59฿52.2
$1.31R$6.82
21.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40฿46.00
$1.01R$5.27
38.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.41
$0.61R$3.15
91.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66฿21.74
$0.46R$2.39
43.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.33
$0.65R$3.36
-18.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69฿154
$1.10R$5.71
326.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.66฿613
$5.89R$30.58
216.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80฿59.2
$0.84R$4.34
114.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$1.04R$5.40
210.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90฿29.44
$0.66R$3.42
36.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.21฿632
$30.15R$157
-36.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿46.21
$0.91R$4.71
54.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29฿42.39
$0.67R$3.48
92.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿258
$5.56R$28.87
41.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.85
$1.04R$5.40
22.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K฿699.4K
$17.8KR$92.4K
19.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K฿730.1K
$27.1KR$140.7K
-18.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.1฿2,270
$56.7R$294
21.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08฿463
$6.77R$35.17
107.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00฿592
$16.21R$84.2
11.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.06฿1,350
$17.57R$91.2
133.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿229
$25.10R$130
-72.27%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92฿194
$4.43R$23.01
33.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299฿9,829
$68.0R$353
339.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K฿491.5K
$2,354R$12.2K
535.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7฿1,798
$34.81R$181
57.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77฿880
$37.33R$194
-28.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.0฿2,793
$54.7R$284
55.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6฿2,320
$30.74R$160
129.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$428฿14.1K
$196R$1,015
118.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237฿7,801
$131R$679
81.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$801฿26.3K
$472R$2,448
69.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.9K
$326R$1,692
58.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975฿64.9K
$973R$5,050
103.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,475฿48.5K
$604R$3,137
144.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Juiz de Fora
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617฿20.3K
$465R$2,413
32.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10.83
-53.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Last update for Juiz de Fora: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $428 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.
💰Salaries run about 33% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $18.00 in Juiz de Fora. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $152 – making Juiz de Fora 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 Juiz de Fora: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Juiz de Fora?
Chiang Mai costs about 51% 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 $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $861 in Juiz de Fora. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 $68.0 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 62% 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 – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $574 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 $574 versus $866 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 – 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