😐A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $390 in Kurnool, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $620 in Kurnool, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $849 in Kurnool, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 118% more than Kurnool, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Kurnool are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Kurnool71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04฿68.4
$1.19₹114
71.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.71฿626
$11.83₹1,132
58.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.86฿263
$4.64₹443
69.40%
Cappuccino
$2.03฿67.9
$2.29₹219
-11.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80฿26.71
$0.34₹32.16
135.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.71
$0.18₹16.84
94.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14฿71.7
$2.35₹225
-8.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67฿123
$2.52₹241
45.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73฿57.8
$0.72₹68.7
140.28%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57฿52.5
$0.37₹35.29
324.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20฿40.10
$0.66₹63.2
81.82%
Eggs
$1.97฿66.0
$0.72₹69.3
173.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.23฿543
$6.43₹615
152.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06฿102
$2.98₹285
2.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.80฿361
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.77฿92.6
$1.18₹113
134.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17฿39.05
$0.80₹76.6
46.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71฿57.1
$0.95₹91.0
80.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59฿53.3
$0.48₹46.00
231.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39฿46.63
$0.30₹28.80
363.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16฿38.67
$0.24₹23.08
383.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66฿22.11
$0.53₹50.7
24.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52฿17.35
$0.36₹34.47
44.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.65฿155
$3.97₹380
17.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.78฿595
$7.16₹685
148.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79฿59.8
$2.53₹242
-29.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34฿112
$3.13₹299
6.71%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.34₹415
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.91฿30.35
$0.28₹26.58
225.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.64฿624
$8.46₹809
120.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿47.17
$0.59₹56.7
138.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿44.82
$0.35₹33.87
282.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.11฿271
$2.28₹218
255.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿41.27
$1.21₹116
1.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿717.0K
$12.7K₹1.2M
68.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K฿730.0K
$23.0K₹2.2M
-5.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$71.3฿2,386
$27.42₹2,622
160.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.01฿469
$3.57₹342
292.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.93฿600
$7.89₹755
127.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.82฿1,365
$16.20₹1,549
151.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88฿230
$7.22₹691
-4.71%
Cinema Ticket
$5.72฿191
$3.43₹328
66.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$308฿10.3K
$75.3₹7,204
309.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K฿491.0K
$1,830₹175.0K
702.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,865
$24.08₹2,303
131.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.04฿871
$26.03₹2,490
0.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.8฿2,837
$40.77₹3,899
108.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.0฿2,375
$41.71₹3,989
70.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$423฿14.2K
$125₹12.0K
238.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242฿8,110
$75.9₹7,255
219.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$797฿26.7K
$276₹26.4K
188.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507฿17.0K
$178₹17.0K
184.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,918฿64.2K
$1,123₹107.4K
70.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,464฿49.0K
$580₹55.4K
152.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Kurnool
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$595฿19.9K
$520₹49.7K
14.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10.8
-53.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026
Last update for Kurnool: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $125 in Kurnool. 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 14% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Kurnool. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $109 – making Kurnool 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 Kurnool: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Kurnool?
Chiang Mai costs about 118% more than Kurnool, 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 and in Kurnool?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $585 in Kurnool. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Kurnool?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kurnool, 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 in Kurnool?
Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $75.3 in Kurnool. 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 Kurnool?
Groceries cost about 125% 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 $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Kurnool?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $390 in Kurnool, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Kurnool?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kurnool costs $390 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 Kurnool?
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 Kurnool?
If budget matters most, go with Kurnool. 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