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 $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $941 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,420 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,899 in Kajang, Selangor, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 9% cheaper than Kajang, Selangor, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Kajang, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Kajang, Selangor 30% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿64.0

$3.58 MYR 14.14

-45.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$19.21 MYR 75.9

-2.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

$4.68 MYR 18.49

69.23%

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$3.13 MYR 12.35

-38.98%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$0.84 MYR 3.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

$0.49 MYR 1.93

-28.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$4.73 MYR 18.68

-53.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$5.96 MYR 23.56

-36.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$1.80 MYR 7.09

-8.89%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$1.05 MYR 4.16

54.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$1.68 MYR 6.62

-29.76%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$1.83 MYR 7.21

9.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$15.70 MYR 62.0

1.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

$5.05 MYR 19.93

-40.40%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$9.91 MYR 39.15

8.68%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

$2.95 MYR 11.65

-11.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

$1.63 MYR 6.43

-25.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

$2.76 MYR 10.92

-38.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

$1.88 MYR 7.42

-15.96%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

$1.52 MYR 6.02

-13.16%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

$1.79 MYR 7.09

-34.64%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

$1.22 MYR 4.82

-45.08%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

$0.55 MYR 2.19

1.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$4.31 MYR 17.03

5.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

$19.24 MYR 76.0

-5.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

$2.73 MYR 10.79

-32.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$2.91 MYR 11.50

11.00%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿29.00

$0.72 MYR 2.85

23.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

$11.95 MYR 47.19

62.18%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$1.20 MYR 4.75

12.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

$0.99 MYR 3.91

36.36%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

$4.58 MYR 18.09

80.13%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$0.49 MYR 1.94

159.18%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

$34.7K MYR 137.2K

-39.10%

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

$32.6K MYR 128.7K

-30.97%

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

$45.66 MYR 180

53.64%

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

$13.77 ฿450

$9.57 MYR 37.79

43.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$31.09 MYR 123

-43.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$37.47 MYR 148

10.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$5.80 MYR 22.92

13.79%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$5.02 MYR 19.82

15.14%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

$209 MYR 827

46.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

$6,850 MYR 27.1K

116.42%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

$61.7 MYR 244

-11.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

$37.64 MYR 149

-30.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

$86.9 MYR 343

-2.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

$71.3 MYR 282

-2.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$388 MYR 1,532

9.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$273 MYR 1,077

-12.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$645 MYR 2,548

27.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$464 MYR 1,834

10.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$1,716 MYR 6,777

19.45%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$1,022 MYR 4,038

48.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

$630 MYR 2,490

0.77%

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: April 27, 2026

Last update for Kajang, Selangor: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $388 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: $243 vs $267 – 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 10% 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 $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,412 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 $306 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 10% 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 $852 in Chiang Mai and $941 in Kajang, Selangor, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $941 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.