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 $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $909 in Kepong, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,335 in Kepong, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,761 in Kepong, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than Kepong, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chiang Mai and Kepong are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 33% lower, Kepong 34% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 ฿69.1

$3.73 MYR 15.06

-43.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.75 ฿648

$24.85 MYR 100

-20.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 ฿192

$5.01 MYR 20.25

16.77%

Cappuccino

$1.76 ฿57.8

$2.99 MYR 12.08

-41.14%

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

$0.74 ฿24.37

$0.92 MYR 3.70

-19.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ฿10.90

$0.41 MYR 1.67

-19.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 ฿81.0

$3.41 MYR 13.78

-27.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 ฿127

$5.95 MYR 24.05

-34.79%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 ฿62.4

$1.75 MYR 7.06

8.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.67 ฿54.7

$1.08 MYR 4.38

54.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 ฿44.24

$1.44 MYR 5.80

-6.25%

Eggs

$2.14 ฿70.2

$1.87 MYR 7.56

14.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿521

$9.60 MYR 38.78

65.52%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.83 ฿92.9

$3.36 MYR 13.58

-15.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.53 ฿345

$9.47 MYR 38.27

11.19%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ฿78.2

$2.81 MYR 11.36

-15.30%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.01

$1.76 MYR 7.13

-39.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.79

$2.79 MYR 11.27

-45.52%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿49.30

$1.67 MYR 6.75

-10.18%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿41.96

$1.42 MYR 5.73

-9.86%

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.17

$1.66 MYR 6.73

-33.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ฿22.54

$1.33 MYR 5.37

-48.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.18

$0.52 MYR 2.08

-5.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 ฿140

$4.34 MYR 17.53

-1.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.78 ฿550

$14.39 MYR 58.1

16.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 ฿54.4

$2.68 MYR 10.84

-38.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 ฿92.3

$2.99 MYR 12.07

-6.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

$0.70 MYR 2.81

28.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.9 ฿1,801

$12.35 MYR 49.89

344.53%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 ฿39.24

$1.22 MYR 4.92

-1.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 ฿17.78

$0.39 MYR 1.56

38.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.37 ฿77.9

$9.55 MYR 38.60

-75.18%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 ฿46.88

$0.78 MYR 3.16

83.33%

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

$21.1K ฿691.5K

$41.7K MYR 168.4K

-49.43%

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

$27.1K ฿890.2K

$32.5K MYR 131.1K

-16.41%

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

$64.7 ฿2,124

$40.09 MYR 162

61.49%

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

$13.19 ฿433

$8.06 MYR 32.55

63.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.44 ฿638

$26.77 MYR 108

-27.38%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.45 ฿1,294

$38.74 MYR 157

1.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿124

$7.71 MYR 31.13

-51.10%

Cinema Ticket

$6.62 ฿217

$4.95 MYR 19.99

33.74%

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

$805 ฿26.4K

$165 MYR 667

388.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿496.1K

$4,435 MYR 17.9K

240.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 ฿1,796

$60.4 MYR 244

-9.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.43 ฿834

$24.68 MYR 99.7

3.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 ฿3,015

$80.3 MYR 324

14.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 ฿2,449

$49.96 MYR 202

49.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 ฿15.3K

$422 MYR 1,707

10.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 ฿9,251

$350 MYR 1,412

-19.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.2K

$717 MYR 2,895

24.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.1K

$485 MYR 1,961

7.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,985 ฿65.1K

$2,017 MYR 8,148

-1.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,462 ฿48.0K

$1,122 MYR 4,534

30.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ฿19.4K

$669 MYR 2,701

-11.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.06

37.19%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 17, 2026

Last update for Kepong: August 17, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $467 in Chiang Mai versus $422 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 13% 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $25.00 in Kepong. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Chiang Mai vs $227 in Kepong – so Kepong 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 Kepong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than Kepong, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,380 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,363 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 $805 per month in Chiang Mai and $165 in Kepong. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 4% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kepong, where all-in costs run around $909, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Kepong it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kepong costs $909 versus $920 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.