Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Legnano Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Legnano

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $872 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,878 in Legnano, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,337 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,931 in Legnano, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,985 in Legnano, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 54% cheaper than Legnano, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Chiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while Legnano is 39% above โ€“ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01 เธฟ64.5
$23.44 โ‚ฌ19.95
-91.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.23 เธฟ584
$88.6 โ‚ฌ75.4
-79.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.65 เธฟ245
$13.55 โ‚ฌ11.53
-43.54%
Cappuccino
$1.92 เธฟ61.5
$2.04 โ‚ฌ1.74
-5.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 เธฟ26.97
$3.23 โ‚ฌ2.75
-73.99%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 เธฟ11.42
$1.49 โ‚ฌ1.27
-75.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.19 เธฟ70.2
$6.91 โ‚ฌ5.88
-68.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 เธฟ121
$5.45 โ‚ฌ4.64
-30.46%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.64 เธฟ52.5
$1.79 โ‚ฌ1.52
-8.38%
White Bread (500g)
$1.62 เธฟ52.0
$2.89 โ‚ฌ2.46
-43.94%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.15 เธฟ36.98
$3.17 โ‚ฌ2.70
-63.72%
Eggs
$1.94 เธฟ62.2
$4.25 โ‚ฌ3.62
-54.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.94 เธฟ511
$18.37 โ‚ฌ15.64
-13.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.10 เธฟ99.5
$13.17 โ‚ฌ11.21
-76.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.07 เธฟ355
$24.41 โ‚ฌ20.78
-54.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 เธฟ86.8
$2.15 โ‚ฌ1.83
26.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 เธฟ37.80
$2.31 โ‚ฌ1.96
-48.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 เธฟ54.7
$3.37 โ‚ฌ2.87
-49.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.61 เธฟ51.5
$3.94 โ‚ฌ3.35
-59.14%
Potato (1kg)
$1.39 เธฟ44.66
$2.57 โ‚ฌ2.19
-45.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.15 เธฟ36.81
$2.06 โ‚ฌ1.75
-44.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 เธฟ22.83
$1.57 โ‚ฌ1.34
-54.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 เธฟ17.65
$0.68 โ‚ฌ0.58
-19.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.57 เธฟ146
$6.80 โ‚ฌ5.79
-32.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.87 เธฟ605
$6.04 โ‚ฌ5.14
212.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 เธฟ58.4
$2.19 โ‚ฌ1.86
-16.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 เธฟ103
$3.03 โ‚ฌ2.58
5.94%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 เธฟ28.24
$1.72 โ‚ฌ1.46
-48.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.89 เธฟ606
$43.06 โ‚ฌ36.64
-56.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 เธฟ45.30
$8.02 โ‚ฌ6.83
-82.42%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.30 เธฟ41.71
$2.15 โ‚ฌ1.83
-39.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.20 เธฟ263
$38.57 โ‚ฌ32.82
-78.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 เธฟ39.29
$2.04 โ‚ฌ1.73
-39.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K เธฟ678.9K
$34.1K โ‚ฌ29.0K
-37.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K เธฟ715.3K
$35.4K โ‚ฌ30.1K
-36.89%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.9 เธฟ2,240
$214 โ‚ฌ182
-67.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.07 เธฟ451
$11.84 โ‚ฌ10.08
18.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.70 เธฟ567
$31.74 โ‚ฌ27.01
-44.23%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.41 เธฟ1,328
$54.3 โ‚ฌ46.17
-23.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.69 เธฟ215
$22.81 โ‚ฌ19.41
-70.67%
Cinema Ticket
$5.74 เธฟ184
$11.68 โ‚ฌ9.94
-50.86%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$299 เธฟ9,593
$879 โ‚ฌ748
-65.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.0K เธฟ481.2K
$16.1K โ‚ฌ13.7K
-7.04%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 เธฟ1,758
$108 โ‚ฌ91.6
-49.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.35 เธฟ845
$40.57 โ‚ฌ34.53
-35.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.7 เธฟ2,714
$113 โ‚ฌ96.3
-25.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.7 เธฟ2,236
$173 โ‚ฌ147
-59.74%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$427 เธฟ13.7K
$589 โ‚ฌ501
-27.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$241 เธฟ7,718
$584 โ‚ฌ497
-58.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$811 เธฟ26.0K
$1,021 โ‚ฌ869
-20.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$498 เธฟ16.0K
$913 โ‚ฌ777
-45.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,022 เธฟ64.8K
$1,797 โ‚ฌ1,529
12.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,524 เธฟ48.9K
$1,551 โ‚ฌ1,320
-1.74%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Legnano
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$639 เธฟ20.5K
$1,868 โ‚ฌ1,589
-65.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
3.25
53.85%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026

Last update for Legnano: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $427 in Chiang Mai versus $589 in Legnano. 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 192% higher in Legnano, 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 $18 in Chiang Mai versus $89 in Legnano. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $384 โ€“ making Chiang Mai 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 Legnano: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Legnano?
Legnano costs about 115% 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 Legnano?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,308 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,817 in Legnano. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ€“ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Legnano?
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 Legnano?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $879 in Legnano. 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 Legnano?
Groceries cost about 56% more in Legnano, 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 Legnano?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Legnano at $1,878. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Legnano it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Legnano?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,878 in Legnano. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Legnano?
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 Legnano?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Legnano makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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