Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kepong Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kepong

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $777 in Kepong, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,231 in Kepong, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,685 in Kepong, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 10% more than Kepong, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Kepong are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Kepong 42% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿63.6

$3.47 MYR 13.71

-43.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿611

$18.55 MYR 73.3

1.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿258

$4.84 MYR 19.14

63.64%

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.2

$2.72 MYR 10.73

-29.78%

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

$0.84 ฿27.25

$0.81 MYR 3.19

3.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.44

$0.40 MYR 1.57

-12.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿71.7

$3.50 MYR 13.83

-36.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$4.95 MYR 19.57

-23.23%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.2

$1.88 MYR 7.44

-12.77%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿52.8

$0.98 MYR 3.88

65.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.40

$1.24 MYR 4.89

-4.84%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.4

$2.23 MYR 8.81

-9.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿517

$15.79 MYR 62.4

0.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.0

$5.03 MYR 19.85

-40.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿350

$10.66 MYR 42.11

1.03%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.0

$2.74 MYR 10.81

-4.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.65

$1.72 MYR 6.79

-29.07%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.4

$2.56 MYR 10.10

-33.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.2

$1.27 MYR 5.00

24.41%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿42.89

$1.42 MYR 5.61

-7.04%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.01

$1.38 MYR 5.45

-15.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.85

$0.90 MYR 3.55

-25.56%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.21

$0.60 MYR 2.36

-6.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿147

$4.36 MYR 17.21

3.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿592

$14.30 MYR 56.5

27.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.6

$2.74 MYR 10.84

-33.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿105

$3.02 MYR 11.93

6.95%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿28.83

$0.74 MYR 2.93

20.27%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿630

$11.97 MYR 47.29

61.90%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿43.95

$1.02 MYR 4.05

32.35%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿43.79

$1.04 MYR 4.10

29.81%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿268

$9.32 MYR 36.79

-11.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.40

$0.49 MYR 1.94

159.18%

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

$21.2K ฿687.8K

$31.0K MYR 122.4K

-31.75%

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

$22.5K ฿731.0K

$27.7K MYR 109.4K

-18.83%

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

$70.2 ฿2,281

$45.13 MYR 178

55.44%

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

$13.77 ฿448

$9.07 MYR 35.83

51.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿572

$23.26 MYR 91.9

-24.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,352

$32.28 MYR 128

28.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿215

$5.97 MYR 23.59

10.55%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿188

$4.82 MYR 19.05

19.92%

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

$306 ฿9,953

$215 MYR 848

42.63%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿482.0K

$6,966 MYR 27.5K

112.83%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,768

$50.1 MYR 198

8.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿850

$23.62 MYR 93.3

10.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,748

$69.4 MYR 274

21.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,257

$48.32 MYR 191

43.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.8K

$247 MYR 976

71.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,743

$173 MYR 685

37.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿26.8K

$607 MYR 2,396

35.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.7K

$417 MYR 1,646

23.66%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿66.6K

$1,788 MYR 7,063

14.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.5K

$882 MYR 3,482

72.74%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.6K

$674 MYR 2,660

-5.69%

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 Kepong: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $247 in Kepong. 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 6% higher in Kepong, 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 Kepong. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $254 – 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 Kepong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 10% more than Kepong, 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 $1,166 in Kepong. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Kepong, 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 $215 in Kepong. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $777 in Kepong, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kepong costs $777 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. 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 Kepong. 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.