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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $389 in Manakara, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $587 in Manakara, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $784 in Manakara, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 123% more than Manakara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Manakara are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Manakara 71% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$2.25 MGA 9,442

-12.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$14.81 MGA 62.1K

26.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$3.60 MGA 15.1K

115.28%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$1.20 MGA 5,028

60.00%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.58 MGA 2,418

36.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.58 MGA 2,449

-37.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$1.14 MGA 4,766

93.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$1.42 MGA 5,966

157.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$1.80 MGA 7,540

-8.33%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$1.02 MGA 4,299

59.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$0.74 MGA 3,108

60.81%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$2.25 MGA 9,449

-11.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$6.32 MGA 26.5K

152.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$3.36 MGA 14.1K

-9.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$3.60 MGA 15.1K

201.67%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$0.94 MGA 3,962

193.62%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$0.68 MGA 2,856

73.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$0.35 MGA 1,454

368.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$0.72 MGA 3,007

111.11%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$0.55 MGA 2,298

150.91%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$0.77 MGA 3,241

54.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.34 MGA 1,429

105.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.70 MGA 2,933

-20.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$1.41 MGA 5,910

224.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$4.73 MGA 19.8K

250.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$1.03 MGA 4,311

77.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$1.30 MGA 5,459

146.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.21 MGA 879

319.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$17.89 MGA 75.1K

4.64%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$1.10 MGA 4,595

23.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$2.07 MGA 8,680

-35.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$3.30 MGA 13.9K

137.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$1.19 MGA 5,008

3.36%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$15.6K MGA 65.6M

38.38%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$20.6K MGA 86.4M

9.47%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$42.75 MGA 179.4K

65.01%

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

$13.68 ฿445

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$54.4 MGA 228.3K

-67.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$11.44 MGA 48.0K

261.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$22.15 MGA 92.9K

1286.37%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$16.74 MGA 70.3K

233.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$20.87 MGA 87.6K

25.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$45.39 MGA 190.5K

88.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$44.88 MGA 188.3K

60.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

$127 MGA 531.0K

389.03%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-79.17%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Manakara: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 389% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $15.00 in Manakara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $131 – making Manakara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Manakara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 123% more than Manakara, 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 $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $584 in Manakara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $22.15 in Manakara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 85% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $389 in Manakara, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Manakara costs $389 versus $869 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 Manakara. 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.