Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kajang, Selangor Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kajang, Selangor

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $926 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,412 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,899 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 6% cheaper than Kajang, Selangor, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Kajang, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Kajang, Selangor 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$3.45 MYR 13.98

-42.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$18.76 MYR 76.1

0.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$4.73 MYR 19.16

63.85%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.99 MYR 12.13

-35.79%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.79 MYR 3.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.45 MYR 1.84

-20.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$4.75 MYR 19.28

-53.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$6.06 MYR 24.59

-39.60%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$1.89 MYR 7.68

-12.70%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$1.05 MYR 4.24

55.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.66 MYR 6.73

-28.31%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.80 MYR 7.31

11.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$15.67 MYR 63.6

1.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$5.13 MYR 20.79

-40.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$9.51 MYR 38.55

14.20%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$2.86 MYR 11.59

-3.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$1.56 MYR 6.34

-24.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$2.91 MYR 11.80

-43.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$1.86 MYR 7.52

-18.28%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$1.51 MYR 6.14

-8.61%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$1.81 MYR 7.35

-34.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$1.22 MYR 4.95

-42.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.55 MYR 2.23

1.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$4.36 MYR 17.69

5.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$14.31 MYR 58.0

15.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$2.75 MYR 11.14

-33.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$2.98 MYR 12.07

7.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.69 MYR 2.81

27.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$11.87 MYR 48.13

57.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$1.20 MYR 4.88

13.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.98 MYR 3.98

36.73%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$4.76 MYR 19.29

64.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.47 MYR 1.89

161.70%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$35.3K MYR 143.3K

-38.80%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$32.6K MYR 132.3K

-30.90%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$45.07 MYR 183

56.51%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$9.53 MYR 38.66

43.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$31.14 MYR 126

-43.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$37.58 MYR 152

9.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$6.05 MYR 24.55

15.04%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$4.97 MYR 20.14

16.10%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$209 MYR 846

47.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$6,995 MYR 28.4K

108.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$61.5 MYR 249

-9.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$37.02 MYR 150

-29.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$84.8 MYR 344

1.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$71.8 MYR 291

0.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$392 MYR 1,589

9.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$272 MYR 1,104

-12.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$638 MYR 2,588

28.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$480 MYR 1,948

6.31%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$2,170 MYR 8,800

-8.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$1,029 MYR 4,174

44.17%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

$613 MYR 2,487

0.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

22.85%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Kajang, Selangor: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $392 in Kajang, Selangor. 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 1% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $19.00 in Kajang, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $257 – making Chiang Mai 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 Kajang, Selangor: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kajang, Selangor costs about 7% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,388 in Kajang, Selangor. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $209 in Kajang, Selangor. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 7% more in Kajang, Selangor, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $926 in Kajang, Selangor, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $926 in Kajang, Selangor. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kajang, Selangor makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.