ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2.91 in Maun, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $5.00 in Maun, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $7.37 in Maun, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 29183% more than Maun, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Maun are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Maun100% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
-
-
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-
-
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
-
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.59PÂ 8.08
50.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$0.63PÂ 8.61
114.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-
-
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
-
-
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
-
-
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$296PÂ 4,062
3.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-
-
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-
-
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Maun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
0
-
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 Maun: April 27, 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 Maun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Maun?
Chiang Mai costs about 29183% more than Maun, 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 Maun?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $4.37 in Maun. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai compared to Maun?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $852 in Chiang Mai and $2.91 in Maun. The difference isn't just one category â it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Maun?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $296 in Maun. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Maun?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $2.91 in Maun, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Maun?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Maun costs $2.91 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 Maun?
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 Maun?
If budget matters most, go with Maun. 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