Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Lumut, Perak Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Lumut, Perak

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,056 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,536 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,016 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 10% cheaper than Lumut, Perak, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chiang Mai and Lumut, Perak are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Lumut, Perak 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

$3.83 MYR 15.57

-45.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

$12.29 MYR 50.0

61.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$5.01 MYR 20.37

15.57%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

$3.02 MYR 12.28

-39.40%

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

$0.78 ฿25.61

$0.85 MYR 3.46

-8.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

$0.39 MYR 1.58

-20.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

$3.86 MYR 15.70

-39.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

$6.27 MYR 25.50

-40.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

$2.18 MYR 8.87

-6.88%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

$1.07 MYR 4.36

49.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

$2.03 MYR 8.25

-30.05%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

$2.46 MYR 9.99

-11.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

$15.53 MYR 63.2

2.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$4.76 MYR 19.35

-35.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$9.69 MYR 39.42

1.86%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

$3.41 MYR 13.87

-22.87%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

$1.92 MYR 7.79

-42.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

$2.46 MYR 10.00

-33.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

$1.60 MYR 6.49

-4.38%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

$1.33 MYR 5.39

-6.77%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

$1.46 MYR 5.93

-22.60%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

$1.21 MYR 4.93

-38.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

$0.76 MYR 3.08

-34.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

$4.40 MYR 17.90

-2.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

$19.08 MYR 77.6

-5.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

$3.41 MYR 13.88

-50.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

$4.96 MYR 20.20

-41.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

$0.75 MYR 3.06

25.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

$12.22 MYR 49.70

352.45%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

$1.23 MYR 4.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

$0.50 MYR 2.03

6.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

$4.87 MYR 19.79

-50.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

$0.78 MYR 3.18

84.62%

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

$21.2K ฿700.2K

$42.4K MYR 172.6K

-50.04%

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

$27.3K ฿902.1K

$35.7K MYR 145.4K

-23.59%

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

$64.9 ฿2,145

$64.9 MYR 264

0.02%

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

$13.35 ฿441

$9.36 MYR 38.07

42.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

$26.19 MYR 107

-20.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

$41.40 MYR 168

-2.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

$6.56 MYR 26.69

-39.79%

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

$5.34 MYR 21.74

25.66%

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

$787 ฿26.0K

$298 MYR 1,214

163.75%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

$4,956 MYR 20.2K

205.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

$72.9 MYR 296

-22.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

$42.54 MYR 173

-41.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

$88.1 MYR 358

5.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

$99.7 MYR 406

-24.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

$432 MYR 1,756

12.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

$337 MYR 1,371

-14.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$712 MYR 2,898

27.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$497 MYR 2,023

6.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

$2,091 MYR 8,507

-5.33%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

$1,125 MYR 4,578

28.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$377 MYR 1,535

60.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.2

32.62%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Lumut, Perak: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $484 in Chiang Mai versus $432 in Lumut, Perak. 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 60% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Lumut, Perak. Groceries tell a different story – $242 in Chiang Mai vs $282 in Lumut, Perak – so Chiang Mai 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 Lumut, Perak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lumut, Perak costs about 11% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,584 in Lumut, Perak. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $787 per month in Chiang Mai and $298 in Lumut, Perak. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% more in Lumut, Perak, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $950, than in Lumut, Perak at $1,056. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lumut, Perak it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $950 versus $1,056 in Lumut, Perak. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lumut, Perak makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.