๐A single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,571 in Netanya, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,714 in Netanya, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $4,856 in Netanya, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 67% cheaper than Netanya, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Chiang Mai sits 37% below the global median, while Netanya is 92% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95เธฟ62.8
$24.98โช74.9
-92.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43เธฟ594
$83.3โช250
-77.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50เธฟ241
$15.73โช47.20
-52.32%
Cappuccino
$1.93เธฟ62.3
$4.55โช13.66
-57.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78เธฟ25.08
$3.01โช9.02
-74.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32เธฟ10.42
$2.72โช8.17
-88.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15เธฟ69.2
$10.11โช30.34
-78.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71เธฟ120
$8.37โช25.11
-55.68%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71เธฟ55.2
$1.98โช5.93
-13.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56เธฟ50.3
$2.31โช6.94
-32.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18เธฟ38.06
$3.00โช9.01
-60.67%
Eggs
$1.98เธฟ63.9
$4.16โช12.49
-52.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04เธฟ517
$15.18โช45.53
5.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17เธฟ102
$11.27โช33.82
-71.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94เธฟ353
$19.96โช59.9
-45.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63เธฟ84.7
$3.26โช9.78
-19.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.61
$2.31โช6.92
-49.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65เธฟ53.0
$1.93โช5.78
-14.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54เธฟ49.51
$2.94โช8.81
-47.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38เธฟ44.34
$1.46โช4.38
-5.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.54
$1.36โช4.09
-13.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66เธฟ21.25
$1.76โช5.27
-62.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51เธฟ16.55
$1.75โช5.26
-70.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52เธฟ146
$11.34โช34.01
-60.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32เธฟ590
$10.97โช32.91
67.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80เธฟ57.9
$2.83โช8.48
-36.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18เธฟ102
$3.01โช9.03
5.65%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90เธฟ28.97
$2.24โช6.72
-59.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00เธฟ612
$69.8โช209
-72.77%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41เธฟ45.50
$8.53โช25.59
-83.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31เธฟ42.15
$1.03โช3.08
27.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09เธฟ261
$18.62โช55.9
-56.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28เธฟ41.08
$2.08โช6.25
-38.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
$38.2Kโช114.6K
-44.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
$39.6Kโช118.7K
-45.13%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2เธฟ2,230
$243โช730
-71.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97เธฟ450
$13.57โช40.71
2.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95เธฟ578
$28.83โช86.5
-37.74%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31เธฟ1,363
$78.1โช234
-45.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66เธฟ214
$17.00โช51.0
-60.82%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92เธฟ191
$12.43โช37.28
-52.37%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299เธฟ9,640
$1,061โช3,183
-71.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
$5,664โช17.0K
162.16%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2เธฟ1,810
$96.4โช289
-41.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94เธฟ868
$62.0โช186
-56.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9เธฟ2,735
$111โช334
-23.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8เธฟ2,314
$131โช393
-45.21%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435เธฟ14.0K
$1,176โช3,528
-63.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240เธฟ7,727
$1,122โช3,365
-78.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798เธฟ25.7K
$1,909โช5,727
-58.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498เธฟ16.1K
$1,619โช4,857
-69.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
$7,785โช23.4K
-74.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
$6,661โช20.0K
-77.00%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Netanya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628เธฟ20.2K
$4,023โช12.1K
-84.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
4.83
3.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Netanya: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $1,176 in Netanya. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 540% higher in Netanya, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $83 in Netanya. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $363 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 Netanya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Netanya?
Netanya costs about 204% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Netanya?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $3,857 in Netanya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Netanya?
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 Netanya?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,061 in Netanya. 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 Netanya?
Groceries cost about 49% more in Netanya, 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 Netanya?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Netanya at $2,571. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Netanya it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Netanya?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $2,571 in Netanya. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Netanya?
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 Netanya?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Netanya makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared