ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $348 in Krishnanagar, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $533 in Krishnanagar, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $718 in Krishnanagar, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 145% more than Krishnanagar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Krishnanagar are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Krishnanagar74% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$1.73âđ164
13.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$11.56âđ1,097
62.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$4.97âđ472
59.36%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.80âđ171
6.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.24âđ22.83
250.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.11âđ10.46
218.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$1.70âđ161
30.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.83âđ269
34.28%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.52âđ49.24
215.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.39âđ37.21
315.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.57âđ54.4
107.02%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$0.80âđ76.3
151.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$5.52âđ524
187.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.93âđ278
2.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.44âđ232
6.97%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.50âđ47.71
144.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.32âđ125
28.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.65âđ61.6
143.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.37âđ35.42
256.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.60âđ57.2
95.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.45âđ42.70
48.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.28âđ26.56
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$3.87âđ367
17.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$3.73âđ354
387.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.73âđ164
5.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.77âđ168
82.49%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$7.28âđ691
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.12âđ11.08
641.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.76âđ832
121.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.59âđ56.3
128.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.32âđ30.59
321.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$2.01âđ191
310.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.25âđ119
1.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$16.0Kâđ1.5M
32.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$22.6Kâđ2.1M
-0.62%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$41.47âđ3,937
69.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$4.06âđ386
239.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$7.43âđ705
136.88%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$4.78âđ454
769.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$7.04âđ669
-6.25%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$2.29âđ218
152.40%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$43.17âđ4,099
609.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$1,599âđ151.8K
827.28%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$28.75âđ2,730
89.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$30.17âđ2,864
-13.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$48.63âđ4,617
73.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$31.94âđ3,033
117.38%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$58.9âđ5,592
619.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$46.23âđ4,389
415.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$94.7âđ8,995
770.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$80.8âđ7,668
537.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$833âđ79.1K
145.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$502âđ47.7K
203.36%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Krishnanagar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
9.9
-49.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Krishnanagar: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $58.9 in Krishnanagar. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Krishnanagar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $97.0 â making Krishnanagar 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 Krishnanagar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Krishnanagar?
Chiang Mai costs about 145% more than Krishnanagar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Krishnanagar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $522 in Krishnanagar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Krishnanagar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Krishnanagar, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Krishnanagar?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $43.17 in Krishnanagar. 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 Krishnanagar?
Groceries cost about 152% 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 Krishnanagar?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $348 in Krishnanagar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Krishnanagar?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Krishnanagar costs $348 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Krishnanagar?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Krishnanagar?
If budget matters most, go with Krishnanagar. 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