๐A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,943 in Montรฉvrain, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,865 in Montรฉvrain, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,788 in Montรฉvrain, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 55% cheaper than Montรฉvrain, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Chiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while Montรฉvrain is 45% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94เธฟ63.8
$13.98โฌ12.13
-86.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.64เธฟ611
$53.1โฌ46.05
-64.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82เธฟ256
$11.50โฌ9.98
-32.00%
Cappuccino
$1.95เธฟ64.1
$3.52โฌ3.05
-44.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85เธฟ27.90
$2.38โฌ2.06
-64.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35เธฟ11.64
$2.37โฌ2.06
-85.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13เธฟ69.9
$5.91โฌ5.13
-63.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73เธฟ122
$5.67โฌ4.92
-34.22%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71เธฟ56.2
$1.64โฌ1.42
4.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63เธฟ53.4
$2.02โฌ1.75
-19.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14เธฟ37.32
$2.99โฌ2.59
-61.87%
Eggs
$1.93เธฟ63.4
$5.12โฌ4.44
-62.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.21เธฟ532
$25.29โฌ21.94
-35.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12เธฟ102
$13.85โฌ12.01
-77.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90เธฟ357
$19.88โฌ17.25
-45.17%
Apples(1kg)
$2.75เธฟ90.4
$3.56โฌ3.09
-22.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21เธฟ39.70
$2.39โฌ2.08
-49.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62เธฟ53.2
$3.52โฌ3.06
-53.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59เธฟ52.1
$3.77โฌ3.27
-57.82%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40เธฟ45.91
$2.68โฌ2.33
-47.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ38.34
$3.01โฌ2.61
-61.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66เธฟ21.70
$1.85โฌ1.60
-64.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53เธฟ17.30
$0.90โฌ0.78
-41.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69เธฟ154
$15.28โฌ13.26
-69.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.66เธฟ612
$9.50โฌ8.24
96.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80เธฟ59.0
$2.84โฌ2.47
-36.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23เธฟ106
$4.09โฌ3.55
-21.03%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90เธฟ29.39
$2.02โฌ1.76
-55.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.21เธฟ630
$48.03โฌ41.67
-60.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41เธฟ46.13
$4.67โฌ4.05
-69.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29เธฟ42.31
$2.00โฌ1.74
-35.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84เธฟ257
$55.3โฌ47.98
-85.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27เธฟ41.77
$2.19โฌ1.90
-42.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kเธฟ698.1K
$36.2Kโฌ31.4K
-41.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2Kเธฟ728.8K
$36.1Kโฌ31.3K
-38.52%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.1เธฟ2,266
$246โฌ213
-71.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08เธฟ462
$17.16โฌ14.89
-17.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00เธฟ591
$36.62โฌ31.77
-50.85%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.06เธฟ1,347
$36.93โฌ32.04
11.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96เธฟ228
$18.42โฌ15.98
-62.21%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92เธฟ194
$12.50โฌ10.84
-52.64%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299เธฟ9,811
$871โฌ756
-65.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0Kเธฟ490.6K
$8,518โฌ7,390
75.54%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7เธฟ1,795
$114โฌ98.6
-51.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.77เธฟ878
$48.26โฌ41.87
-44.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.0เธฟ2,788
$122โฌ106
-30.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6เธฟ2,316
$159โฌ138
-55.69%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$428เธฟ14.0K
$769โฌ667
-44.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237เธฟ7,787
$617โฌ535
-61.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$801เธฟ26.3K
$1,404โฌ1,218
-42.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515เธฟ16.9K
$1,087โฌ943
-52.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975เธฟ64.8K
$3,721โฌ3,229
-46.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,475เธฟ48.4K
$2,744โฌ2,381
-46.25%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Montรฉvrain
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617เธฟ20.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.55
40.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Last update for Montรฉvrain: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $769 in Montรฉvrain. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $53.0 in Montรฉvrain. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $412 โ making Chiang Mai 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 Montรฉvrain: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Montรฉvrain?
Montรฉvrain costs about 124% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Montรฉvrain?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,914 in Montรฉvrain. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Montรฉvrain?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, 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 Montรฉvrain?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $871 in Montรฉvrain. 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 Montรฉvrain?
Groceries cost about 67% more in Montรฉvrain, 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 $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Montรฉvrain?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Montรฉvrain at $1,943. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Montรฉvrain it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Montรฉvrain?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,943 in Montรฉvrain. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Montรฉvrain?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Montรฉvrain?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Montรฉvrain makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared