Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Makurdi

For one person, living is cheaper in Makurdi: $12.12 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $11,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai Living Index

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Chiang Mai

🇹🇭 Thailand

$935

/mo nomad

Makurdi

🇳🇬 Nigeria

$12.12

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Makurdi

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 Makurdi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $12.12 in Makurdi, rent included.

Chiang Mai $935
Makurdi $12.12

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $17.15 in Makurdi, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,467
Makurdi $17.15

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $22 in Makurdi, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,999
Makurdi $22

Chiang Mai costs about 7618% more than Makurdi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chiang Mai and Makurdi are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Makurdi 99% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.13 ฿71.8

$0.38 ₦511

460.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.62 ฿626

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.60 ฿188

$1.82 ₦2,433

207.69%

Cappuccino

$1.66 ฿55.9

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

$0.65 ฿21.75

$0.08 ₦107

712.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ฿10.25

$0.07 ₦96.8

328.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 ฿78.1

$0.35 ₦474

562.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿123

$0.61 ₦817

501.64%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ฿67.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 ฿47.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.79

Eggs

$2.37 ฿79.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.52 ฿555

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.67 ฿89.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.02 ฿303

Apples (1kg)

$2.40 ฿80.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 ฿35.01

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 ฿55.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 ฿52.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.61

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 ฿25.61

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿17.29

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 ฿139

Wine (Bottle)

$17.93 ฿603

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.62 ฿54.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 ฿94.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿31.42

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.9 ฿1,778

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 ฿39.56

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.17 ฿5.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ฿60.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 ฿49.51

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

$21.0K ฿706.4K

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

$26.5K ฿891.4K

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

$62.6 ฿2,103

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

$11.60 ฿390

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.30 ฿683

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.88 ฿1,274

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.70 ฿124

Cinema Ticket

$6.51 ฿219

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

$727 ฿24.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.6K ฿557.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 ฿1,800

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.80 ฿834

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 ฿3,039

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.0 ฿2,420

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$481 ฿16.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$310 ฿10.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,058 ฿35.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$659 ฿22.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,418 ฿81.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,609 ฿54.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Makurdi: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chiang Mai

$310 33.1%

Makurdi

–

Groceries & Markets

Chiang Mai

$237 25.3%

Makurdi

–

Clothing & Footwear

Chiang Mai

$108 11.6%

Makurdi

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chiang Mai

$94 10.1%

Makurdi

–

Eating Out

Chiang Mai

$77 8.2%

Makurdi

–

Getting Around

Chiang Mai

$59 6.3%

Makurdi

–

Sport & Entertainment

Chiang Mai

$51 5.4%

Makurdi

–

Good to know

🇹🇭 Chiang Mai

🇳🇬 Makurdi

🕒 Local time

06:50 6:50 AM

00:50 12:50 AM

6 h behind Chiang Mai

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

127,240

500,797

💱 Currency

Thai Baht THB ฿

Nigerian Naira NGN ₦

📈 Exchange rate

100 THB = 2.97 USD

100 THB = 2.64 EUR

10,000 NGN = 7.48 USD

10,000 NGN = 6.64 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

NGN, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇹🇭 Thai Baht (฿)

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 33.62 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.85 THB (100 THB = 2.64 EUR).

Nigerian Naira exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 1,337 NGN (10,000 NGN = 7.48 USD). 1 EUR = 1,505 NGN (10,000 NGN = 6.64 EUR).

USD to THB in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Chiang Mai Makurdi 9,780 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight

From you

Chiang Mai
Makurdi

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 Makurdi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 7618% more than Makurdi, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $18.18 in Makurdi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A $800 monthly budget goes further in Makurdi, where all-in costs run around $12.12, than in Chiang Mai at $935. In Makurdi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $12.12 in Makurdi to $935 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.