Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kyzyl-Kiya Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Kyzyl-Kiya

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $194 in Kyzyl-Kiya, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $315 in Kyzyl-Kiya, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $436 in Kyzyl-Kiya, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 346% more than Kyzyl-Kiya, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Kyzyl-Kiya are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Kyzyl-Kiya 86% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$2.82 KGS 246

-31.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.33 KGS 28.46

157.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$0.16 KGS 14.17

118.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$0.71 KGS 62.3

140.85%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.32 KGS 28.26

409.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$1.79 KGS 156

-36.31%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$1.39 KGS 121

38.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$1.99 KGS 174

56.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$6.84 KGS 598

59.36%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$0.55 KGS 48.32

400.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$3.37 KGS 294

-64.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$1.33 KGS 117

21.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$0.48 KGS 41.90

231.25%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$0.86 KGS 75.4

62.79%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$0.98 KGS 85.7

19.39%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.49 KGS 42.55

8.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.35 KGS 30.78

157.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$0.65 KGS 56.9

95.38%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

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

$14.08 ฿460

$2.51 KGS 219

460.96%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$11.38 KGS 995

58.17%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$40.57 KGS 3,547

1.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$1.76 KGS 154

236.36%

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

$299 ฿9,766

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$34.26 KGS 2,995

106.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$404 KGS 35.3K

388.69%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$340 KGS 29.7K

333.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$430 KGS 37.6K

43.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Kyzyl-Kiya: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 44% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Kyzyl-Kiya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 346% more than Kyzyl-Kiya, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $291 in Kyzyl-Kiya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $866 in Chiang Mai and $194 in Kyzyl-Kiya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 160% 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.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $194 in Kyzyl-Kiya, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kyzyl-Kiya costs $194 versus $866 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 Kyzyl-Kiya. 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.