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 $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $418 in Manakara, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $639 in Manakara, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $861 in Manakara, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 120% more than Manakara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Manakara are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 33% lower, Manakara 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 ฿69.1

$2.38 MGA 10.2K

-11.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.75 ฿648

$15.32 MGA 65.7K

28.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 ฿192

$3.68 MGA 15.8K

58.97%

Cappuccino

$1.76 ฿57.8

$1.23 MGA 5,278

43.09%

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

$0.74 ฿24.37

$0.60 MGA 2,585

23.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ฿10.90

$0.57 MGA 2,436

-42.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 ฿81.0

$1.26 MGA 5,389

96.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 ฿127

$1.48 MGA 6,369

162.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 ฿62.4

$1.83 MGA 7,866

3.83%

White Bread (500g)

$1.67 ฿54.7

$1.01 MGA 4,347

65.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 ฿44.24

$0.76 MGA 3,247

77.63%

Eggs

$2.14 ฿70.2

$2.38 MGA 10.2K

-10.08%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿521

$6.68 MGA 28.7K

137.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.83 ฿92.9

$3.55 MGA 15.2K

-20.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.53 ฿345

$3.60 MGA 15.5K

192.50%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ฿78.2

$1.03 MGA 4,420

131.07%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.01

$0.71 MGA 3,040

50.70%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.79

$0.40 MGA 1,705

280.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿49.30

$0.72 MGA 3,083

108.33%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿41.96

$0.58 MGA 2,468

120.69%

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.17

$0.76 MGA 3,251

44.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ฿22.54

$0.37 MGA 1,570

86.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.18

$0.72 MGA 3,108

-31.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 ฿140

$1.49 MGA 6,397

186.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.78 ฿550

$4.60 MGA 19.7K

264.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 ฿54.4

$1.07 MGA 4,609

55.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 ฿92.3

$1.34 MGA 5,751

109.70%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

$0.24 MGA 1,032

275.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.9 ฿1,801

$37.41 MGA 160.5K

46.75%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 ฿39.24

$1.18 MGA 5,069

1.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 ฿17.78

$2.28 MGA 9,781

-76.32%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.37 ฿77.9

$3.54 MGA 15.2K

-33.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 ฿46.88

$1.19 MGA 5,115

20.17%

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

$21.1K ฿691.5K

$16.1K MGA 69.2M

30.68%

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

$27.1K ฿890.2K

$21.2K MGA 90.9M

28.07%

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

$64.7 ฿2,124

$44.44 MGA 190.7K

45.68%

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

$13.19 ฿433

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.44 ฿638

$55.9 MGA 239.8K

-65.22%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.45 ฿1,294

$12.20 MGA 52.4K

223.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿124

Cinema Ticket

$6.62 ฿217

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

$805 ฿26.4K

$23.38 MGA 100.3K

3344.23%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿496.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 ฿1,796

$16.90 MGA 72.5K

223.96%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.43 ฿834

$21.19 MGA 90.9K

20.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 ฿3,015

$48.23 MGA 206.9K

90.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 ฿2,449

$47.13 MGA 202.2K

58.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 ฿15.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 ฿9,251

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,985 ฿65.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,462 ฿48.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ฿19.4K

$122 MGA 521.5K

387.09%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

-76.79%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 17, 2026

Last update for Manakara: August 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 387% 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $15.00 in Manakara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $135 – 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 120% 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 $1,380 per month in Chiang Mai and $627 in Manakara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $805 per month in Chiang Mai and $23.38 in Manakara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 76% 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.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manakara, where all-in costs run around $418, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Manakara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Manakara costs $418 versus $920 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.