Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Khouribga

For one person, living is cheaper in Khouribga: $641 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $3,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Khouribga, Morocco
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Khouribga
🇲🇦 Morocco
$641
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Khouribga

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Khouribga actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $641 in Khouribga, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Khouribga $641

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $998 in Khouribga, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Khouribga $998

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,355 in Khouribga, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Khouribga $1,355

Chiang Mai costs about 46% more than Khouribga, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Khouribga are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Khouribga 53% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$4.12 MAD 40.62
-45.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$14.43 MAD 142
31.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$8.21 MAD 80.9
-32.40%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$1.17 MAD 11.52
42.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$0.42 MAD 4.17
52.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$0.30 MAD 2.92
3.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$3.47 MAD 34.20
-31.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$2.58 MAD 25.39
41.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$0.92 MAD 9.05
111.96%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$0.66 MAD 6.47
118.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$1.53 MAD 15.04
-13.07%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$1.84 MAD 18.14
23.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$12.44 MAD 123
32.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$6.13 MAD 60.4
-54.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$10.28 MAD 101
-9.44%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$1.62 MAD 15.95
45.06%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$1.46 MAD 14.41
-33.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$0.83 MAD 8.19
92.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$0.96 MAD 9.46
56.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$0.85 MAD 8.41
50.59%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$0.60 MAD 5.87
83.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$0.21 MAD 2.07
238.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$0.67 MAD 6.56
-26.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$3.99 MAD 39.34
3.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$7.54 MAD 74.3
132.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$2.29 MAD 22.57
-29.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.66 MAD 26.25
4.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.52 MAD 5.14
67.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
$20.75 MAD 204
160.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$0.85 MAD 8.36
36.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
$0.68 MAD 6.72
-22.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$3.85 MAD 37.96
-37.14%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$1.47 MAD 14.53
-1.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$28.6K MAD 281.8K
-26.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$22.3K MAD 219.5K
20.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$52.4 MAD 516
18.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$8.03 MAD 79.2
51.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$35.07 MAD 346
-42.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$15.34 MAD 151
143.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$22.34 MAD 220
-83.12%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$10.08 MAD 99.3
-35.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
$89.4 MAD 881
723.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
$5,348 MAD 52.7K
176.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$24.83 MAD 245
114.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$41.44 MAD 408
-40.54%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$71.9 MAD 708
27.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$55.1 MAD 543
30.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$150 MAD 1,479
221.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$101 MAD 999
204.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$279 MAD 2,749
260.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$201 MAD 1,982
214.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$1,183 MAD 11.7K
99.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
$813 MAD 8,006
95.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Khouribga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$323 MAD 3,180
82.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
4.55
22.42%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Khouribga: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Khouribga
$101 67.2% $208
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Khouribga
$198 15.7% $37
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Khouribga
$87 19.9% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Khouribga
$96 1.1% $1.1
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Khouribga
$97 25.1% $19
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Khouribga
$27 55.9% $34
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Khouribga
$36 29.4% $15

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $150 in Khouribga. 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 83% higher in Chiang Mai. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $14 in Khouribga. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $198 – making Khouribga the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇲🇦 Khouribga
🕒 Local time
17:22 5:22 PM
10:22 10:22 AM
7 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
195,931
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

MAD, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 9.85 MAD (1 MAD = 0.102 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Khouribga 10,280 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Khouribga

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Khouribga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Khouribga?
Chiang Mai costs about 46% more than Khouribga, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai and in Khouribga?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $962 in Khouribga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Khouribga?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Khouribga, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $150 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Khouribga?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $89 in Khouribga. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Khouribga?
Groceries cost about 19% 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.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Khouribga?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Khouribga, where all-in costs run around $641, than in Chiang Mai at $936. In Khouribga it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Khouribga – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Khouribga?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Khouribga?
If budget matters most, go with Khouribga. 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.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?