๐A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,510 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,211 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,911 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 42% cheaper than La Vall d'Uixรณ, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Chiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while La Vall d'Uixรณ is 12% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98เธฟ64.3
$17.62โฌ15.18
-88.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80เธฟ612
$46.63โฌ40.18
-59.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75เธฟ252
$11.47โฌ9.88
-32.43%
Cappuccino
$1.92เธฟ62.5
$2.12โฌ1.83
-9.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79เธฟ25.79
$1.88โฌ1.62
-57.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36เธฟ11.62
$1.54โฌ1.33
-76.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21เธฟ72.1
$3.57โฌ3.08
-38.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66เธฟ119
$2.69โฌ2.32
36.06%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65เธฟ53.8
$1.14โฌ0.98
44.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63เธฟ53.2
$1.81โฌ1.56
-9.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19เธฟ38.86
$1.34โฌ1.15
-11.19%
Eggs
$2.00เธฟ65.1
$3.09โฌ2.66
-35.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98เธฟ520
$13.27โฌ11.43
20.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03เธฟ98.5
$6.76โฌ5.82
-55.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86เธฟ354
$15.93โฌ13.72
-31.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76เธฟ90.0
$2.21โฌ1.90
24.89%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18เธฟ38.42
$1.40โฌ1.21
-15.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64เธฟ53.5
$1.50โฌ1.29
9.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52เธฟ49.51
$2.22โฌ1.91
-31.53%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38เธฟ45.10
$1.15โฌ0.99
20.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19เธฟ38.84
$1.64โฌ1.41
-27.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70เธฟ22.86
$1.34โฌ1.15
-47.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56เธฟ18.13
$0.50โฌ0.43
12.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58เธฟ149
$6.31โฌ5.44
-27.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56เธฟ539
$4.51โฌ3.88
267.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83เธฟ59.5
$0.85โฌ0.73
115.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20เธฟ104
$1.42โฌ1.22
125.35%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88เธฟ28.56
$1.66โฌ1.43
-46.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72เธฟ610
$33.71โฌ29.05
-44.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36เธฟ44.16
$4.41โฌ3.80
-69.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34เธฟ43.65
$0.97โฌ0.83
38.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84เธฟ256
$35.10โฌ30.24
-77.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23เธฟ39.92
$1.81โฌ1.56
-32.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6Kเธฟ704.3K
$37.7Kโฌ32.5K
-42.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kเธฟ734.3K
$35.9Kโฌ31.0K
-37.25%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5เธฟ2,298
$110โฌ94.4
-35.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68เธฟ445
$15.69โฌ13.52
-12.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45เธฟ568
$24.08โฌ20.75
-27.53%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33เธฟ1,346
$48.22โฌ41.54
-14.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96เธฟ227
$14.97โฌ12.90
-53.51%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77เธฟ188
$9.32โฌ8.03
-38.09%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307เธฟ10.0K
$417โฌ359
-26.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6Kเธฟ475.9K
$7,072โฌ6,093
106.60%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8เธฟ1,817
$49.84โฌ42.95
11.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21เธฟ854
$33.06โฌ28.49
-20.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8เธฟ2,793
$74.1โฌ63.8
15.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2เธฟ2,353
$73.3โฌ63.1
-1.43%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430เธฟ14.0K
$862โฌ743
-50.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239เธฟ7,774
$699โฌ602
-65.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817เธฟ26.6K
$1,338โฌ1,153
-38.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511เธฟ16.6K
$1,013โฌ873
-49.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983เธฟ64.6K
$3,122โฌ2,690
-36.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484เธฟ48.3K
$2,271โฌ1,957
-34.66%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619เธฟ20.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.5
42.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for La Vall d'Uixรณ: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $862 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $47.00 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. Groceries tell a different story โ $241 in Chiang Mai vs $239 in La Vall d'Uixรณ โ so La Vall d'Uixรณ 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
La Vall d'Uixรณ costs about 74% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,265 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $417 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in La Vall d'Uixรณ โ one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in La Vall d'Uixรณ at $1,510. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in La Vall d'Uixรณ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,510 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, La Vall d'Uixรณ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared