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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $44.58 in Nizwa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $65.0 in Nizwa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $84.9 in Nizwa, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 2032% more than Nizwa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Nizwa are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Nizwa 97% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿653

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.2

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

$0.78 ฿25.51

$1.05 OMR 0.41

-25.71%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.33

$0.27 OMR 0.10

14.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿76.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿66.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.57

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿523

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿101

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿325

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.4

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.05

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.6

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿40.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿591

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿55.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.00

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,820

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.60

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.37

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

$21.2K ฿697.5K

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

$27.3K ฿898.6K

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

$64.9 ฿2,137

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

$13.35 ฿439

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿686

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,330

$39.15 OMR 15.07

3.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿221

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

$787 ฿25.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿497.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,850

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿821

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,051

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,472

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿15.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,454

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿29.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿19.9K

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 7, 2026

Last update for Nizwa: September 7, 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 Nizwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 2032% more than Nizwa, 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 $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $66.9 in Nizwa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nizwa, where all-in costs run around $44.58, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Nizwa 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. Nizwa costs $44.58 versus $950 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 Nizwa. 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.