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 $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $463 in Maharagama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $786 in Maharagama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,109 in Maharagama, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 87% more than Maharagama, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Maharagama are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Maharagama 65% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.85 LKR 614

-7.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.52 LKR 174

213.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$0.79 LKR 261

44.30%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$2.04 LKR 677

-5.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$15.89 LKR 5,268

2.01%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$5.75 LKR 1,906

-45.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$11.04 LKR 3,660

-1.27%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$11.82 LKR 3,918

-76.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$1.19 LKR 395

1.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$10.07 LKR 3,338

-83.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$1.81 LKR 599

-12.15%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$1.15 LKR 382

21.74%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$1.20 LKR 399

-2.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$1.57 LKR 522

-57.96%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.58 LKR 192

-8.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$9.63 LKR 3,192

-51.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$2.03 LKR 672

-11.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$3.09 LKR 1,024

4.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$3.39 LKR 1,126

466.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$0.32 LKR 105

340.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$0.29 LKR 94.6

344.83%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.42 LKR 469

-10.56%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$53.4 LKR 17.7K

29.42%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$3.43 LKR 1,137

310.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$12.48 LKR 4,139

44.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$13.51 LKR 4,481

203.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$5.07 LKR 1,681

16.77%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$67.5 LKR 22.4K

343.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$512 LKR 169.8K

2819.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$25.25 LKR 8,373

116.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$13.32 LKR 4,415

100.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$54.4 LKR 18.0K

56.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$59.1 LKR 19.6K

19.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$168 LKR 55.7K

376.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$116 LKR 38.4K

344.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

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: May 31, 2026

Last update for Maharagama: May 31, 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 87% 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 $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $694 in Maharagama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Public transport costs about 467% less in Maharagama. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Interestingly, groceries are about 20% 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 $866 in Chiang Mai and $463 in Maharagama, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Maharagama costs $463 versus $866 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.