Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Lomas de Zamora

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,221 in Lomas de Zamora, rent and utilities included – about $3,400 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Lomas de Zamora, Argentina
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Lomas de Zamora
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,221
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Lomas de Zamora

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Lomas de Zamora actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,221 in Lomas de Zamora, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Lomas de Zamora $1,221

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,061 in Lomas de Zamora, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Lomas de Zamora $2,061

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,900 in Lomas de Zamora, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Lomas de Zamora $2,900

Chiang Mai is about 23% cheaper than Lomas de Zamora, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chiang Mai and Lomas de Zamora are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Lomas de Zamora 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$9.94 ARS 15.3K
-77.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$52.8 ARS 81.2K
-64.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$11.40 ARS 17.5K
-51.32%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$3.40 ARS 5,226
-50.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$2.02 ARS 3,114
-68.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$1.64 ARS 2,516
-81.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$3.87 ARS 5,952
-39.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$4.64 ARS 7,139
-21.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$1.29 ARS 1,985
51.16%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$1.95 ARS 3,003
-26.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$1.59 ARS 2,444
-16.35%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$2.71 ARS 4,161
-15.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$11.12 ARS 17.1K
47.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$10.41 ARS 16.0K
-73.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$13.23 ARS 20.3K
-29.63%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$2.59 ARS 3,992
-9.27%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$1.97 ARS 3,027
-50.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$1.34 ARS 2,063
19.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$1.98 ARS 3,048
-24.24%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$1.21 ARS 1,865
5.79%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$1.20 ARS 1,848
-8.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$1.30 ARS 1,998
-45.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$1.77 ARS 2,726
-72.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$3.21 ARS 4,936
28.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$5.44 ARS 8,361
222.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.63 ARS 2,505
-1.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.74 ARS 4,222
1.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.97 ARS 1,493
-10.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
$26.33 ARS 40.5K
105.43%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$1.57 ARS 2,418
-26.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
$1.01 ARS 1,558
-47.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$8.02 ARS 12.3K
-69.83%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$1.35 ARS 2,074
7.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$16.8K ARS 25.8M
25.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$30.2K ARS 46.4M
-10.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$97.6 ARS 150.1K
-36.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$20.17 ARS 31.0K
-39.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$27.02 ARS 41.6K
-25.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$31.39 ARS 48.3K
18.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$20.74 ARS 31.9K
-81.82%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$7.86 ARS 12.1K
-17.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
$240 ARS 369.8K
206.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
$4,147 ARS 6.4M
256.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$121 ARS 185.9K
-55.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$96.6 ARS 148.6K
-74.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$118 ARS 182.1K
-22.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$101 ARS 155.6K
-28.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$523 ARS 804.0K
-7.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$326 ARS 501.9K
-5.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$1,079 ARS 1.7M
-6.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$823 ARS 1.3M
-23.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$3,005 ARS 4.6M
-21.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
$1,287 ARS 2.0M
23.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Lomas de Zamora
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$737 ARS 1.1M
-19.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
57.25
-90.27%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Lomas de Zamora: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Lomas de Zamora
$326 5.6% $17
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Lomas de Zamora
$272 15.9% $37
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Lomas de Zamora
$197 81% $88
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Lomas de Zamora
$145 53.3% $50
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Lomas de Zamora
$198 155% $120
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Lomas de Zamora
$37 40% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Lomas de Zamora
$47 6.3% $3.2

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $523 in Lomas de Zamora. 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 25% higher in Lomas de Zamora, 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 in Chiang Mai versus $53 in Lomas de Zamora. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $272 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇦🇷 Lomas de Zamora
🕒 Local time
20:06 8:06 PM
10:06 10:06 AM
10 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
616,279
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

ARS, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1,538 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.5 USD). 1 EUR = 1,712 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.84 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Lomas de Zamora 17,170 km ≈ 22 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Lomas de Zamora

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Lomas de Zamora: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Lomas de Zamora?
Lomas de Zamora costs about 31% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 and in Lomas de Zamora?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,832 in Lomas de Zamora. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Chiang Mai compared to Lomas de Zamora?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $482 in Chiang Mai and $523 in Lomas de Zamora. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Lomas de Zamora?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $240 in Lomas de Zamora. 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 Lomas de Zamora?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Lomas de Zamora, 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 $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Lomas de Zamora?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,221 in Lomas de Zamora. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Lomas de Zamora?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $1,221 in Lomas de Zamora. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Lomas de Zamora?
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 Lomas de Zamora?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lomas de Zamora makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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