ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $363 in Mandsaur, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $571 in Mandsaur, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $780 in Mandsaur, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 135% more than Mandsaur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Mandsaur are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Mandsaur73% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$1.95âđ185
0.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$13.83âđ1,313
36.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$2.99âđ284
164.88%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.51âđ144
26.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.45âđ42.83
86.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.12âđ11.79
191.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$1.78âđ169
24.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$3.50âđ332
8.57%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.60âđ57.4
173.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.28âđ26.49
478.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.72âđ68.5
63.89%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.00âđ94.6
101.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$2.29âđ217
593.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$3.23âđ306
-6.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$2.41âđ229
8.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.46âđ43.54
165.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.02âđ96.4
66.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.78âđ73.6
102.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.30âđ28.89
340.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.49âđ46.71
138.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.54âđ51.5
24.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.33âđ31.80
69.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$4.01âđ381
12.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$5.36âđ509
239.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.71âđ162
7.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.23âđ211
44.84%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.64âđ536
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.30âđ28.79
196.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.89âđ844
118.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.65âđ61.9
107.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.22âđ20.86
513.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$1.49âđ141
453.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.20âđ114
5.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$15.4Kâđ1.5M
37.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$19.8Kâđ1.9M
13.70%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$58.6âđ5,559
19.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$3.83âđ363
259.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$7.48âđ710
135.29%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$16.11âđ1,530
158.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$7.01âđ665
-5.85%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$3.44âđ327
68.02%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$64.3âđ6,101
376.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$1,856âđ176.2K
698.73%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$10.31âđ979
427.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$23.18âđ2,201
12.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$28.78âđ2,733
193.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$11.83âđ1,123
486.90%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$123âđ11.6K
245.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$76.6âđ7,276
210.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$271âđ25.7K
204.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$182âđ17.3K
183.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$988âđ93.8K
107.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$479âđ45.5K
217.61%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Mandsaur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$209âđ19.8K
204.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
9.1
-45.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Mandsaur: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $123 in Mandsaur. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 204% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $14.00 in Mandsaur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $93.0 â making Mandsaur 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 Mandsaur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
Chiang Mai costs about 135% more than Mandsaur, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai vs Mandsaur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $544 in Mandsaur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mandsaur, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Mandsaur?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $64.3 in Mandsaur. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
Groceries cost about 161% 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.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $363 in Mandsaur, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mandsaur costs $363 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Mandsaur?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Mandsaur?
If budget matters most, go with Mandsaur. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared