ðA single person spends $872 per month in Chiang Mai vs $534 in Nasinu, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,337 per month in Chiang Mai vs $925 in Nasinu, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,316 in Nasinu, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 63% more than Nasinu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Nasinu are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai35% lower, Nasinu60% lower.
Currency
ðœ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95àž¿62.5
$5.50FJDÂ 12.26
-64.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43àž¿590
$45.30FJDÂ 101
-59.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50àž¿240
$6.67FJDÂ 14.87
12.44%
Cappuccino
$1.93àž¿61.9
$3.10FJDÂ 6.90
-37.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78àž¿24.94
$1.49FJDÂ 3.32
-47.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32àž¿10.36
$0.70FJDÂ 1.57
-54.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15àž¿68.8
$3.10FJDÂ 6.92
-30.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71àž¿119
$3.55FJDÂ 7.91
4.51%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71àž¿54.9
$1.29FJDÂ 2.88
32.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56àž¿50.0
$0.53FJDÂ 1.17
194.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18àž¿37.85
$1.15FJDÂ 2.56
2.61%
Eggs
$1.98àž¿63.5
$3.48FJDÂ 7.75
-43.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04àž¿514
$9.05FJDÂ 20.18
77.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17àž¿102
$7.23FJDÂ 16.13
-56.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94àž¿351
$7.50FJDÂ 16.73
45.87%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63àž¿84.2
$2.44FJDÂ 5.44
7.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17àž¿37.40
$2.47FJDÂ 5.52
-52.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65àž¿52.7
$3.41FJDÂ 7.60
-51.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54àž¿49.23
$3.27FJDÂ 7.30
-52.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38àž¿44.09
$1.49FJDÂ 3.32
-7.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17àž¿37.33
$1.23FJDÂ 2.73
-4.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66àž¿21.13
$1.20FJDÂ 2.68
-45.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51àž¿16.46
$0.76FJDÂ 1.69
-32.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52àž¿145
$9.77FJDÂ 21.79
-53.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32àž¿587
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80àž¿57.6
$2.12FJDÂ 4.73
-15.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18àž¿102
$3.37FJDÂ 7.51
-5.64%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90àž¿28.80
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00àž¿609
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41àž¿45.25
$0.93FJDÂ 2.08
51.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31àž¿41.91
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09àž¿259
$8.70FJDÂ 19.40
-7.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28àž¿40.85
$1.35FJDÂ 3.01
-5.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kàž¿682.3K
$24.4KFJDÂ 54.5K
-12.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kàž¿695.4K
$24.8KFJDÂ 55.2K
-12.32%
ð§Ÿ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2àž¿2,217
$46.00FJDÂ 103
50.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97àž¿448
$13.27FJDÂ 29.60
5.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95àž¿575
$24.02FJDÂ 53.6
-25.27%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31àž¿1,356
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66àž¿213
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92àž¿190
$4.56FJDÂ 10.17
29.82%
ð§ž Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299àž¿9,586
$222FJDÂ 495
34.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kàž¿475.8K
$14.3KFJDÂ 31.8K
4.07%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2àž¿1,800
$26.07FJDÂ 58.1
115.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94àž¿863
$26.69FJDÂ 59.5
0.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9àž¿2,719
$69.8FJDÂ 156
21.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8àž¿2,301
$61.6FJDÂ 137
16.70%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435àž¿13.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240àž¿7,684
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798àž¿25.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498àž¿16.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995àž¿63.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532àž¿49.1K
-
-
ðµ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Nasinu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628àž¿20.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
7.7
-35.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Nasinu: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $427 in Chiang Mai versus $0 in Nasinu. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $45 in Nasinu. Groceries tell a different story â $246 in Chiang Mai vs $221 in Nasinu â so Nasinu 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 Nasinu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Nasinu?
Chiang Mai costs about 63% more than Nasinu, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Nasinu?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,308 per month in Chiang Mai and $800 in Nasinu. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai vs Nasinu?
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Nasinu?
Groceries cost about 11% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Nasinu?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $872 in Chiang Mai and $534 in Nasinu, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Nasinu?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Nasinu costs $534 versus $872 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Nasinu?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Nasinu?
If budget matters most, go with Nasinu. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared