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 $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $947 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,416 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,884 in Lumut, Perak, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 8% cheaper than Lumut, Perak, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Lumut, Perak are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Lumut, Perak 29% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.6

$3.60 MYR 14.35

-46.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$11.55 MYR 46.09

61.39%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿256

$4.69 MYR 18.72

66.74%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.9

$2.75 MYR 10.97

-29.09%

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

$0.85 ฿27.80

$0.84 MYR 3.33

1.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.60

$0.33 MYR 1.33

6.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.7

$3.71 MYR 14.80

-42.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

$6.00 MYR 23.92

-37.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$2.08 MYR 8.28

-17.79%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.3

$1.00 MYR 3.99

63.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.18

$1.73 MYR 6.91

-34.10%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.2

$2.17 MYR 8.67

-11.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$14.75 MYR 58.9

9.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$4.58 MYR 18.27

-31.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$9.88 MYR 39.43

10.32%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.1

$2.84 MYR 11.35

-3.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.56

$1.56 MYR 6.24

-22.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$2.70 MYR 10.76

-40.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.9

$1.48 MYR 5.90

7.43%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.75

$1.23 MYR 4.91

13.82%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.20

$1.33 MYR 5.31

-12.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.62

$1.20 MYR 4.80

-45.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.24

$0.67 MYR 2.65

-20.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$4.18 MYR 16.69

12.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿610

$19.21 MYR 76.6

-2.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$3.33 MYR 13.30

-45.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$4.26 MYR 16.98

-24.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.28

$0.74 MYR 2.96

21.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$11.99 MYR 47.85

60.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.96

$1.16 MYR 4.61

21.55%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.16

$1.15 MYR 4.59

12.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$4.78 MYR 19.09

64.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.62

$0.47 MYR 1.89

170.21%

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

$21.3K ฿695.5K

$40.3K MYR 160.9K

-47.24%

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

$22.2K ฿726.1K

$32.2K MYR 128.5K

-31.01%

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

$69.1 ฿2,258

$64.0 MYR 255

7.94%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$11.61 MYR 46.33

21.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$25.39 MYR 101

-29.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,342

$37.06 MYR 148

10.79%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$5.77 MYR 23.01

20.62%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$5.22 MYR 20.84

13.41%

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

$299 ฿9,775

$270 MYR 1,076

10.85%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.8K

$9,523 MYR 38.0K

57.01%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,788

$61.2 MYR 244

-10.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿875

$37.04 MYR 148

-27.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,778

$85.7 MYR 342

-0.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,308

$81.2 MYR 324

-13.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$390 MYR 1,555

9.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,759

$269 MYR 1,073

-11.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$636 MYR 2,537

26.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

$471 MYR 1,880

9.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$1,899 MYR 7,575

4.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$958 MYR 3,822

54.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$389 MYR 1,554

58.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.47

11.86%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Lumut, Perak: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $390 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 59% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Lumut, Perak. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Chiang Mai vs $268 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 9% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,420 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 $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $270 in Lumut, Perak. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 9% 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 $866, than in Lumut, Perak at $947. 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 $866 versus $947 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.