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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $456 in Maharagama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $781 in Maharagama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,106 in Maharagama, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Maharagama, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Maharagama are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Maharagama 66% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿65.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.35 ฿617

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 ฿252

Cappuccino

$2.02 ฿67.8

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

$0.85 ฿28.50

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 ฿121

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿55.5

$1.87 LKR 630

-11.76%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.7

$0.48 LKR 160

227.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿40.02

$0.78 LKR 261

52.56%

Eggs

$1.94 ฿65.1

$2.05 LKR 690

-5.37%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿544

$16.31 LKR 5,482

-0.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.99 ฿101

$5.73 LKR 1,927

-47.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.94 ฿368

$10.68 LKR 3,587

2.43%

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 ฿91.2

$11.88 LKR 3,992

-77.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.25

$1.25 LKR 419

-6.40%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 ฿56.7

$10.23 LKR 3,437

-83.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 ฿54.0

$1.88 LKR 632

-14.89%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿46.54

$1.19 LKR 399

15.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.45

$1.15 LKR 385

4.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿22.50

$1.57 LKR 529

-57.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.73

$0.62 LKR 207

-9.68%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.64 ฿156

$9.65 LKR 3,241

-51.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.62 ฿593

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿62.5

$2.03 LKR 681

-8.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 ฿111

$3.13 LKR 1,053

5.43%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.68

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.34 ฿650

$3.29 LKR 1,107

487.84%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿45.90

$0.34 LKR 116

300.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.98

$0.29 LKR 96.7

362.07%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.21 ฿276

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ฿41.18

$1.37 LKR 459

-10.95%

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

$21.4K ฿718.1K

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

$22.5K ฿757.7K

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

$70.7 ฿2,376

$54.5 LKR 18.3K

29.57%

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

$14.04 ฿472

$3.25 LKR 1,094

332.00%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.49 ฿588

$12.62 LKR 4,241

38.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.15 ฿1,417

$13.31 LKR 4,473

216.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿231

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿199

$5.11 LKR 1,717

15.85%

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

$309 ฿10.4K

$67.8 LKR 22.8K

355.14%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K ฿500.4K

$510 LKR 171.4K

2817.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,875

$25.18 LKR 8,462

121.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.11 ฿878

$13.63 LKR 4,579

91.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.0 ฿2,792

$54.3 LKR 18.3K

52.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.5 ฿2,369

$59.3 LKR 19.9K

18.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 ฿14.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿8,035

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$822 ฿27.7K

$166 LKR 55.9K

394.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$512 ฿17.2K

$118 LKR 39.6K

334.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,915 ฿64.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,467 ฿49.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$579 ฿19.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-70.59%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Maharagama: July 12, 2026

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 Maharagama: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Maharagama, 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 $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $684 in Maharagama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Public transport costs about 488% less in Maharagama. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $456 in Maharagama, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Maharagama costs $456 versus $861 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 Maharagama. 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.