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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $250 in Moshi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $428 in Moshi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $607 in Moshi, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 247% more than Moshi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Moshi are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Moshi 81% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$3.15 TZS 8,133

-38.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$0.56 TZS 1,447

205.36%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.73 TZS 1,888

123.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$1.38 TZS 3,557

-17.39%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$8.55 TZS 22.0K

89.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$3.91 TZS 10.1K

-20.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$3.00 TZS 7,747

263.33%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$0.38 TZS 978

218.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$1.58 TZS 4,083

2.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$0.75 TZS 1,945

112.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$0.73 TZS 1,888

91.78%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.41 TZS 1,052

29.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.40 TZS 1,036

125.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.27 TZS 3,274

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$117 TZS 302.3K

-41.07%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$3.97 TZS 10.2K

254.66%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

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

$299 ฿9,766

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$19.70 TZS 50.8K

177.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$197 TZS 508.3K

161.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$96.4 TZS 248.7K

540.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Moshi: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 540% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Moshi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 247% more than Moshi, 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 $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $375 in Moshi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $866 in Chiang Mai and $250 in Moshi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 168% 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 $866 in Chiang Mai and $250 in Moshi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Moshi costs $250 versus $866 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 Moshi. 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.