Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Norsup

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $3,399 in Norsup, rent and utilities included – about $29,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Norsup outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

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Cost of Living Index in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai Living Index

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Chiang Mai

🇹🇭 Thailand

$936

/mo nomad

Norsup

🇻🇺 Vanuatu

$3,399

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Norsup

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Norsup actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,399 in Norsup, rent included.

Chiang Mai $936
Norsup $3,399

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,246 in Norsup, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,457
Norsup $2,246

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,093 in Norsup, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,979
Norsup $1,093

Chiang Mai is about 72% cheaper than Norsup, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Norsup is 150% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.24 ฿75.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.00 ฿641

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.55 ฿187

Cappuccino

$1.67 ฿56.5

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

$0.64 ฿21.55

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.36 ฿79.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿124

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 ฿65.8

$4.28 VUV 499

-54.44%

White Bread (500g)

$1.44 ฿48.48

$4.19 VUV 488

-65.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 ฿45.04

$4.15 VUV 484

-67.95%

Eggs

$2.28 ฿77.1

$5.13 VUV 598

-55.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.45 ฿555

$12.54 VUV 1,462

31.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.78 ฿93.9

$8.66 VUV 1,009

-67.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.31 ฿314

$15.04 VUV 1,753

-38.10%

Apples (1kg)

$2.35 ฿79.4

$4.33 VUV 505

-45.73%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 ฿32.80

$4.20 VUV 490

-76.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.60 ฿53.9

$4.20 VUV 490

-61.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 ฿50.6

$4.27 VUV 498

-64.87%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿43.12

$4.33 VUV 505

-70.44%

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 ฿37.19

$4.29 VUV 500

-74.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.71 ฿23.82

$4.14 VUV 482

-82.85%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ฿16.37

$4.26 VUV 496

-88.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.14 ฿140

$16.76 VUV 1,953

-75.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.52 ฿591

$16.84 VUV 1,962

4.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 ฿54.5

$4.12 VUV 480

-60.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.78 ฿94.0

$4.13 VUV 482

-32.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 ฿29.31

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.1 ฿1,826

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.16 ฿39.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.80

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿81.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.90

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

$21.1K ฿710.7K

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

$26.9K ฿909.3K

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

$62.2 ฿2,098

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

$12.17 ฿411

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.12 ฿679

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.31 ฿1,259

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿127

Cinema Ticket

$6.49 ฿219

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

$736 ฿24.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿498.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.4 ฿1,801

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.64 ฿831

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 ฿3,087

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.9 ฿2,428

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$482 ฿16.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$309 ฿10.4K

$2,914 VUV 339.7K

-89.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 ฿33.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$633 ฿21.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,363 ฿79.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,589 ฿53.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$590 ฿19.9K

$298 VUV 34.8K

97.60%

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: October 26, 2026

Last update for Norsup: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chiang Mai

$309 33%

Norsup

–

Groceries & Markets

Chiang Mai

$234 25.1%

Norsup

–

Clothing & Footwear

Chiang Mai

$109 11.6%

Norsup

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chiang Mai

$94 10.1%

Norsup

–

Eating Out

Chiang Mai

$78 8.3%

Norsup

–

Getting Around

Chiang Mai

$61 6.6%

Norsup

–

Sport & Entertainment

Chiang Mai

$50 5.4%

Norsup

–

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 98% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

Good to know

🇹🇭 Chiang Mai

🇻🇺 Norsup

🕒 Local time

08:18 8:18 AM

12:18 12:18 PM

4 h ahead of Chiang Mai

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

127,240

1,200

💱 Currency

Thai Baht THB ฿

Vanuatu Vatu VUV Vt

📈 Exchange rate

100 THB = 2.96 USD

100 THB = 2.65 EUR

1,000 VUV = 8.58 USD

1,000 VUV = 7.68 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

VUV, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇹🇭 Thai Baht (฿)

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.75 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.68 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Vanuatu Vatu exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 117 VUV (1,000 VUV = 8.58 USD). 1 EUR = 130 VUV (1,000 VUV = 7.68 EUR).

USD to THB in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Chiang Mai Norsup 8,430 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight

From you

Chiang Mai
Norsup

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Norsup: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Norsup costs about 263% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $5,099 in Norsup. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $936 in Chiang Mai and $3,399 in Norsup. That makes Chiang Mai about 72% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 107% more in Norsup, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $3,399 in Norsup. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $3,399 in Norsup. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.