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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $920 per month in Chiang Mai vs $823 in Miri, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,408 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,245 in Miri, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,667 in Miri, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 12% more than Miri, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chiang Mai and Miri are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 33% lower, Miri 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 ฿69.1

$3.45 MYR 13.93

-38.84%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.75 ฿648

$12.16 MYR 49.13

62.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 ฿192

$4.61 MYR 18.62

26.90%

Cappuccino

$1.76 ฿57.8

$2.36 MYR 9.54

-25.42%

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

$0.74 ฿24.37

$0.79 MYR 3.19

-6.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ฿10.90

$0.30 MYR 1.21

10.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 ฿81.0

$3.04 MYR 12.30

-18.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 ฿127

$4.06 MYR 16.39

-4.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 ฿62.4

$1.47 MYR 5.93

29.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.67 ฿54.7

$1.88 MYR 7.60

-11.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 ฿44.24

$0.96 MYR 3.90

40.63%

Eggs

$2.14 ฿70.2

$3.47 MYR 14.01

-38.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿521

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.83 ฿92.9

$4.92 MYR 19.88

-42.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.53 ฿345

$15.18 MYR 61.3

-30.63%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ฿78.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.01

$1.96 MYR 7.92

-45.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.79

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿49.30

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿41.96

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ฿22.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.18

$0.36 MYR 1.43

36.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 ฿140

$4.26 MYR 17.22

0.23%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.78 ฿550

$19.54 MYR 78.9

-14.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 ฿54.4

$3.14 MYR 12.70

-47.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 ฿92.3

$2.40 MYR 9.71

17.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

$0.51 MYR 2.04

76.47%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.9 ฿1,801

$14.33 MYR 57.9

283.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 ฿39.24

$1.27 MYR 5.11

-5.51%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 ฿17.78

$0.59 MYR 2.40

-8.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.37 ฿77.9

$6.25 MYR 25.24

-62.08%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 ฿46.88

$0.59 MYR 2.38

142.37%

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

$21.1K ฿691.5K

$51.0K MYR 205.8K

-58.63%

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

$27.1K ฿890.2K

$32.8K MYR 132.5K

-17.26%

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

$64.7 ฿2,124

$50.2 MYR 203

29.02%

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

$13.19 ฿433

$9.89 MYR 39.95

33.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.44 ฿638

$32.95 MYR 133

-41.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.45 ฿1,294

$30.03 MYR 121

31.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿124

$6.12 MYR 24.71

-38.40%

Cinema Ticket

$6.62 ฿217

$4.35 MYR 17.58

52.18%

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

$805 ฿26.4K

$101 MYR 409

695.63%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿496.1K

$6,533 MYR 26.4K

131.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 ฿1,796

$44.61 MYR 180

22.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.43 ฿834

$22.79 MYR 92.1

11.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 ฿3,015

$55.1 MYR 223

66.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 ฿2,449

$42.41 MYR 171

76.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 ฿15.3K

$341 MYR 1,377

36.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 ฿9,251

$282 MYR 1,138

0.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.2K

$595 MYR 2,405

49.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.1K

$601 MYR 2,427

-13.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,985 ฿65.1K

$1,243 MYR 5,023

59.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,462 ฿48.0K

$678 MYR 2,741

115.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ฿19.4K

$676 MYR 2,730

-12.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.12

35.19%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 17, 2026

Last update for Miri: August 18, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $467 in Chiang Mai versus $341 in Miri. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 14% higher in Miri, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Miri. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $197 – making Miri 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 Miri: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 12% more than Miri, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. 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 $1,235 in Miri. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $805 per month in Chiang Mai and $101 in Miri. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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 Miri, where all-in costs run around $823, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Miri 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. Miri costs $823 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 Miri. 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.