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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $529 in Nampula, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $708 in Nampula, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $887 in Nampula, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 76% more than Nampula, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Chiang Mai and Nampula are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Nampula 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.5

$5.63 MZN 356

-63.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿655

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.3

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

$0.77 ฿25.65

$0.80 MZN 50.7

-3.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.53

$0.41 MZN 25.81

-14.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.9

$1.57 MZN 99.6

40.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿127

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.4

$1.78 MZN 113

15.17%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.6

$0.49 MZN 31.14

208.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.69

$1.10 MZN 69.7

27.27%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.4

$2.82 MZN 178

-19.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿540

$10.01 MZN 633

61.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.7

$3.42 MZN 217

-15.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

$3.93 MZN 248

139.69%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.4

$2.62 MZN 166

2.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.37

$2.32 MZN 147

-53.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿54.0

$1.95 MZN 123

-16.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.74

$1.52 MZN 96.2

-3.95%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.65

$1.41 MZN 89.4

-9.22%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.31

$1.69 MZN 107

-37.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.94

$0.79 MZN 49.81

-8.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.56

$0.85 MZN 53.5

-37.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿611

$6.36 MZN 402

187.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.4

$2.39 MZN 151

-31.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.32

$0.17 MZN 10.45

417.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,795

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.14

$1.54 MZN 97.4

-24.03%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.30

$2.42 MZN 153

-76.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.41

$1.50 MZN 95.0

-3.33%

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

$21.0K ฿701.4K

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

$26.4K ฿882.0K

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

$63.7 ฿2,125

$120 MZN 7,577

-46.87%

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

$12.89 ฿430

$33.82 MZN 2,139

-61.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿685

$125 MZN 7,905

-83.58%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,302

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿220

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

$784 ฿26.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,840

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿826

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,142

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,469

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,620

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.8K

$927 MZN 58.6K

-3.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Nampula: September 14, 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 Nampula: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 76% more than Nampula, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $794 in Nampula. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $932 in Chiang Mai and $529 in Nampula. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 30% 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 Nampula, where all-in costs run around $529, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Nampula 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. Nampula costs $529 versus $932 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 Nampula. 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.