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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $31.52 in Makurdi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $47.00 in Makurdi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $61.7 in Makurdi, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 2632% more than Makurdi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Makurdi are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Makurdi 98% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿65.8

$0.66 ₦904

196.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.35 ฿617

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 ฿252

$3.41 ₦4,686

119.35%

Cappuccino

$2.02 ฿67.8

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

$0.85 ฿28.50

$0.14 ₦198

507.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.96

$0.13 ₦176

176.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.8

$0.60 ₦821

256.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 ฿121

$1.05 ₦1,442

241.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿55.5

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿40.02

Eggs

$1.94 ฿65.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿544

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.99 ฿101

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.94 ฿368

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 ฿91.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 ฿56.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 ฿54.0

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿46.54

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿22.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.73

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.64 ฿156

Wine (Bottle)

$17.62 ฿593

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿62.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 ฿111

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.68

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.34 ฿650

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿45.90

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.98

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.21 ฿276

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ฿41.18

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

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

$14.04 ฿472

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.49 ฿588

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.15 ฿1,417

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿231

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿199

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

$309 ฿10.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K ฿500.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,875

$20.27 ₦27.9K

175.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.11 ฿878

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.0 ฿2,792

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.5 ฿2,369

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

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$512 ฿17.2K

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 %)

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Makurdi: July 11, 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 Makurdi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 2632% more than Makurdi, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 $47.28 in Makurdi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $31.52 in Makurdi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Makurdi costs $31.52 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 Makurdi. 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.