Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Metro, Lampung Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Metro, Lampung

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $629 in Metro, Lampung, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $948 in Metro, Lampung, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,267 in Metro, Lampung, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 37% more than Metro, Lampung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Metro, Lampung are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Metro, Lampung 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿65.8

$3.15 Rp 56.7K

-37.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.35 ฿617

$18.13 Rp 325.9K

1.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 ฿252

$2.78 Rp 50.0K

169.06%

Cappuccino

$2.02 ฿67.8

$2.15 Rp 38.7K

-6.05%

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

$0.85 ฿28.50

$0.51 Rp 9,165

66.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.96

$0.26 Rp 4,633

38.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.8

$1.56 Rp 28.1K

37.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 ฿121

$3.36 Rp 60.4K

6.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿55.5

$1.09 Rp 19.6K

51.38%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.7

$0.95 Rp 17.1K

65.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿40.02

$0.96 Rp 17.3K

23.96%

Eggs

$1.94 ฿65.1

$0.87 Rp 15.6K

122.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿544

$6.37 Rp 114.5K

154.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.99 ฿101

$2.51 Rp 45.1K

19.12%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.94 ฿368

$7.82 Rp 140.5K

39.90%

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 ฿91.2

$1.69 Rp 30.4K

60.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.25

$1.08 Rp 19.5K

8.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 ฿56.7

$1.21 Rp 21.7K

39.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 ฿54.0

$1.01 Rp 18.2K

58.42%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿46.54

$1.33 Rp 23.9K

3.76%

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.45

$1.37 Rp 24.6K

-12.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿22.50

$0.60 Rp 10.7K

11.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.73

$0.42 Rp 7,613

33.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.64 ฿156

$2.10 Rp 37.7K

120.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.62 ฿593

$20.84 Rp 374.6K

-15.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿62.5

$1.86 Rp 33.5K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 ฿111

$3.24 Rp 58.3K

1.85%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.68

$0.32 Rp 5,764

175.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.34 ฿650

$9.93 Rp 178.5K

94.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿45.90

$0.53 Rp 9,482

156.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.98

$0.35 Rp 6,252

282.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.21 ฿276

$3.09 Rp 55.5K

165.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ฿41.18

$0.78 Rp 13.9K

56.41%

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

$21.4K ฿718.1K

$31.1K Rp 559.5M

-31.41%

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

$22.5K ฿757.7K

$32.8K Rp 590.3M

-31.42%

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

$70.7 ฿2,376

$89.7 Rp 1.6M

-21.22%

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

$14.04 ฿472

$6.66 Rp 119.6K

110.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.49 ฿588

$27.29 Rp 490.4K

-35.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.15 ฿1,417

$22.68 Rp 407.6K

85.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿231

$6.25 Rp 112.2K

10.08%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿199

$3.16 Rp 56.8K

87.34%

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

$309 ฿10.4K

$92.3 Rp 1.7M

234.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K ฿500.4K

$9,732 Rp 174.9M

52.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,875

$27.87 Rp 500.9K

100.07%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.11 ฿878

$14.17 Rp 254.7K

84.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.0 ฿2,792

$21.63 Rp 388.8K

283.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.5 ฿2,369

$41.62 Rp 748.0K

69.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 ฿14.5K

$259 Rp 4.7M

66.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿8,035

$158 Rp 2.8M

51.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$822 ฿27.7K

$582 Rp 10.5M

41.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$512 ฿17.2K

$327 Rp 5.9M

56.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,915 ฿64.4K

$1,011 Rp 18.2M

89.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,467 ฿49.3K

$674 Rp 12.1M

117.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$579 ฿19.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.59

-47.86%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Metro, Lampung: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $259 in Metro, Lampung. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $18.00 in Metro, Lampung. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $179 in Metro, Lampung – so Metro, Lampung wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Metro, Lampung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 37% more than Metro, Lampung, 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 $944 in Metro, Lampung. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Metro, Lampung, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $92.3 in Metro, Lampung. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 36% 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 $861 in Chiang Mai and $629 in Metro, Lampung, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Metro, Lampung costs $629 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 Metro, Lampung. 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.