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 $906 per month in Chiang Mai vs $895 in Kepong, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,385 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,364 in Kepong, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,864 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,834 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 32% lower, Kepong 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.13 ฿71.8

$3.58 MYR 14.64

-40.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.40 ฿653

$24.94 MYR 102

-22.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.47 ฿184

$4.92 MYR 20.11

11.18%

Cappuccino

$1.68 ฿56.7

$2.90 MYR 11.84

-42.07%

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

$0.66 ฿22.22

$0.86 MYR 3.51

-23.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ฿11.58

$0.44 MYR 1.80

-22.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 ฿81.5

$3.32 MYR 13.56

-27.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿126

$5.66 MYR 23.11

-34.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.06 ฿69.3

$1.74 MYR 7.11

18.39%

White Bread (500g)

$1.46 ฿49.06

$1.07 MYR 4.39

36.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 ฿45.34

$1.47 MYR 6.01

-8.16%

Eggs

$2.27 ฿76.4

$1.80 MYR 7.35

26.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.31 ฿549

$9.64 MYR 39.36

69.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.70 ฿90.8

$3.18 MYR 12.98

-15.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.20 ฿310

$9.64 MYR 39.37

-4.56%

Apples (1kg)

$2.39 ฿80.6

$3.33 MYR 13.58

-28.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 ฿34.85

$1.70 MYR 6.93

-38.82%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.60 ฿54.0

$2.63 MYR 10.75

-39.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 ฿48.64

$1.67 MYR 6.81

-13.77%

Potato (1kg)

$1.30 ฿43.84

$1.47 MYR 5.99

-11.56%

Onion (1kg)

$1.11 ฿37.50

$1.65 MYR 6.73

-32.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿23.69

$1.33 MYR 5.42

-47.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿17.09

$0.55 MYR 2.27

-7.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.13 ฿139

$4.28 MYR 17.48

-3.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.78 ฿599

$14.09 MYR 57.6

26.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿55.0

$2.66 MYR 10.85

-38.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 ฿96.6

$3.01 MYR 12.29

-4.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.86 ฿28.92

$0.73 MYR 2.99

17.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.2 ฿1,790

$12.31 MYR 50.3

331.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.22 ฿41.05

$1.01 MYR 4.14

20.79%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 ฿18.92

$0.39 MYR 1.59

43.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.31 ฿77.9

$9.10 MYR 37.18

-74.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.50 ฿50.5

$0.88 MYR 3.60

70.45%

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

$20.9K ฿702.3K

$42.0K MYR 171.6K

-50.34%

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

$26.7K ฿900.1K

$32.2K MYR 131.7K

-17.07%

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

$61.3 ฿2,063

$49.07 MYR 200

24.84%

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

$12.50 ฿421

$8.01 MYR 32.74

56.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.36 ฿686

$26.58 MYR 109

-23.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.94 ฿1,277

$38.49 MYR 157

-1.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿127

$7.99 MYR 32.64

-52.82%

Cinema Ticket

$6.60 ฿222

$4.95 MYR 20.24

33.33%

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

$774 ฿26.1K

$163 MYR 667

373.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.4K ฿486.0K

$4,501 MYR 18.4K

220.69%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 ฿1,845

$55.1 MYR 225

-0.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.26 ฿851

$24.54 MYR 100

2.93%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 ฿3,049

$80.5 MYR 329

12.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.3 ฿2,467

$86.4 MYR 353

-15.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$459 ฿15.4K

$404 MYR 1,649

13.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$294 ฿9,891

$303 MYR 1,236

-2.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$919 ฿30.9K

$691 MYR 2,822

33.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$552 ฿18.6K

$493 MYR 2,014

11.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,917 ฿64.6K

$1,989 MYR 8,123

-3.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,445 ฿48.6K

$1,097 MYR 4,482

31.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ฿19.9K

$648 MYR 2,649

-8.65%

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: October 5, 2026

Last update for Kepong: October 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $459 in Chiang Mai versus $404 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 9% 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 $25.00 in Kepong. Groceries tell a different story – $236 in Chiang Mai vs $228 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 $1,359 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,342 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 $774 per month in Chiang Mai and $163 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 $895, than in Chiang Mai at $906. 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 $895 versus $906 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.