😐A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $535 in Navi Mumbai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $879 in Navi Mumbai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,223 in Navi Mumbai, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 61% more than Navi Mumbai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Navi Mumbai are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Navi Mumbai60% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96฿65.7
$2.88₹278
-31.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35฿616
$17.10₹1,646
7.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.48฿251
$4.71₹454
58.81%
Cappuccino
$2.02฿67.7
$2.06₹198
-1.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85฿28.45
$0.39₹37.46
117.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.94
$0.12₹11.28
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14฿71.7
$2.39₹230
-10.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59฿121
$3.58₹345
0.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿55.4
$0.68₹65.9
142.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57฿52.6
$0.51₹48.63
207.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿39.95
$0.69₹66.5
72.46%
Eggs
$1.94฿65.0
$0.94₹90.3
106.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.19฿544
$7.12₹686
127.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.99฿100
$4.37₹421
-31.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94฿367
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.71฿91.0
$1.99₹192
36.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17฿39.18
$0.73₹70.3
60.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69฿56.6
$1.10₹106
53.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60฿53.9
$0.62₹59.9
158.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿46.45
$0.50₹48.26
176.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20฿40.38
$0.50₹47.80
140.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67฿22.46
$0.41₹39.34
63.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.70
$0.35₹34.10
60.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64฿156
$4.25₹409
9.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.62฿591
$7.22₹695
144.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86฿62.4
$1.85₹178
0.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30฿111
$3.08₹297
7.14%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$6.80₹654
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿29.63
$0.19₹18.65
363.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.34฿649
$5.89₹567
228.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿45.82
$0.31₹30.32
338.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿44.90
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.21฿276
$1.07₹103
667.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22฿41.11
$1.23₹118
-0.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿716.8K
$13.0K₹1.2M
64.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿756.3K
$23.1K₹2.2M
-2.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.7฿2,372
$45.04₹4,337
56.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04฿471
$3.80₹366
269.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49฿587
$8.95₹862
95.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.15฿1,415
$18.86₹1,816
123.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88฿231
$9.45₹910
-27.20%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92฿199
$4.06₹391
45.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309฿10.4K
$95.3₹9,176
223.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.9K฿499.5K
$1,432₹137.9K
938.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,872
$22.52₹2,168
147.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11฿877
$18.66₹1,797
39.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0฿2,787
$49.70₹4,785
67.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5฿2,365
$34.19₹3,292
106.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$432฿14.5K
$293₹28.2K
47.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿8,020
$183₹17.6K
30.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$822฿27.6K
$813₹78.3K
1.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$512฿17.2K
$445₹42.8K
15.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,915฿64.3K
$1,603₹154.3K
19.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,467฿49.3K
$1,425₹137.2K
2.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Navi Mumbai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$579฿19.4K
$652₹62.8K
-11.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
9.27
-46.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Last update for Navi Mumbai: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $293 in Navi Mumbai. 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 13% higher in Navi Mumbai, 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $17.00 in Navi Mumbai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $122 – making Navi Mumbai 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 Navi Mumbai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Navi Mumbai?
Chiang Mai costs about 61% more than Navi Mumbai, 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 and in Navi Mumbai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $802 in Navi Mumbai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Navi Mumbai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Navi Mumbai, 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 in Navi Mumbai?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $95.3 in Navi Mumbai. 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 in Navi Mumbai?
Groceries cost about 100% 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 $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Navi Mumbai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $535 in Navi Mumbai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Navi Mumbai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Navi Mumbai costs $535 versus $861 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 Navi Mumbai?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Navi Mumbai?
If budget matters most, go with Navi Mumbai. 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