Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Las Tunas Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Las Tunas

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $378 in Las Tunas, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $641 in Las Tunas, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $903 in Las Tunas, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 130% more than Las Tunas, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chiang Mai and Las Tunas are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Las Tunas 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$2.98 CUP 71.6

-33.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$13.84 CUP 332

35.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$0.97 CUP 23.38

97.94%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$1.27 CUP 30.57

-37.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$1.02 CUP 24.50

-64.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$2.23 CUP 53.5

-0.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$1.96 CUP 46.96

86.73%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$1.07 CUP 25.74

52.34%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.07 CUP 25.66

11.21%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$2.46 CUP 58.9

-18.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$4.36 CUP 105

266.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$6.44 CUP 154

-52.95%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$6.80 CUP 163

59.71%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$11.05 CUP 265

-75.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$0.46 CUP 11.02

156.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$1.12 CUP 26.83

46.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$0.84 CUP 20.13

80.95%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$1.09 CUP 26.15

26.61%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$2.19 CUP 52.5

-45.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.24 CUP 5.72

191.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$1.97 CUP 47.31

-71.57%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$4.07 CUP 97.7

12.53%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$2.97 CUP 71.3

457.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$3.59 CUP 86.2

-49.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$1.97 CUP 47.16

62.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

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

$13.68 ฿445

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$15.03 CUP 361

174.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$5.06 CUP 121

37.55%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$0.97 CUP 23.33

494.85%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$40.16 CUP 964

38.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$39.29 CUP 943

-33.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$59.3 CUP 1,423

44.63%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$49.42 CUP 1,186

46.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

$39.28 CUP 943

1475.41%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Las Tunas: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 1475% 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 $14.00 in Las Tunas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $217 – making Las Tunas 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 Las Tunas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 130% more than Las Tunas, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $567 in Las Tunas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $869 in Chiang Mai and $378 in Las Tunas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 11% 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 $869 in Chiang Mai and $378 in Las Tunas, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Las Tunas costs $378 versus $869 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 Las Tunas. 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.