Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and North Korea
For one person, living is cheaper in North Korea: $836 a month against $906 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $840 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Chiang Mai outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.
-
Chiang Mai Living Index45Cost of Living Index in Chiang MaiLearn more -
North Korea Living Index41Cost of Living Index in North KoreaLearn more
🙂 Solo nomad: Chiang Mai is 19.9% cheaper than North Korea without rent, and 8.4% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Chiang Mai is 16.8% cheaper than North Korea without rent, and 4.4% more expensive with rent.
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.4
$2.75 $2.75
-22.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.40 ฿649
$22.54 $22.54
-13.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.47 ฿183
$19.33 $19.33
-71.70%
Cappuccino
$1.68 ฿56.4
$1.09 $1.09
54.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 ฿22.10
$2.25 $2.25
-70.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ฿11.52
$1.28 $1.28
-73.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.42 ฿81.0
$13.50 $13.50
-82.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ฿125
$3.46 $3.46
7.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.06 ฿68.9
$0.90 $0.90
128.89%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ฿48.78
$2.52 $2.52
-42.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.35 ฿45.09
$1.56 $1.56
-13.46%
Eggs
$2.27 ฿76.0
$2.89 $2.89
-21.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.31 ฿546
$4.91 $4.91
232.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.70 ฿90.3
$3.86 $3.86
-30.05%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.20 ฿308
$5.50 $5.50
67.27%
Apples (1kg)
$2.39 ฿80.1
$6.12 $6.12
-60.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿34.66
$5.13 $5.13
-79.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.7
$2.28 $2.28
-29.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.44 ฿48.37
$2.18 $2.18
-33.94%
Potato (1kg)
$1.30 ฿43.59
$4.53 $4.53
-71.30%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 ฿37.29
$4.53 $4.53
-75.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.70 ฿23.55
$2.26 $2.26
-69.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿16.99
$0.46 $0.46
10.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13 ฿138
$4.52 $4.52
-8.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.78 ฿595
$7.94 $7.94
123.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 ฿54.7
$1.15 $1.15
41.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 ฿96.0
$2.18 $2.18
31.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 ฿28.76
$1.00 $1.00
-14.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.2 ฿1,780
$38.72 $38.72
37.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 ฿40.81
$1.52 $1.52
-19.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.56 ฿18.81
$2.25 $2.25
-75.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.31 ฿77.5
$39.80 $39.80
-94.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ฿50.2
$0.71 $0.71
111.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9K ฿698.3K
$22.2K $22.2K
-6.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿895.0K
$27.9K $27.9K
-4.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.3 ฿2,051
$33.64 $33.64
82.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.50 ฿419
$11.23 $11.23
11.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.36 ฿682
$45.44 $45.44
-55.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.94 ฿1,270
$59.4 $59.4
-36.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿126
$14.41 $14.41
-73.84%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60 ฿221
$7.78 $7.78
-15.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$774 ฿25.9K
$106 $106
632.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.4K ฿483.2K
$2,149 $2,149
571.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ฿1,835
$22.12 $22.12
147.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.26 ฿846
$28.19 $28.19
-10.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.6 ฿3,032
$62.9 $62.9
44.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.3 ฿2,453
$84.7 $84.7
-13.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$459 ฿15.4K
$97.2 $97.2
372.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$294 ฿9,835
$104 $104
183.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$919 ฿30.8K
$1,399 $1,399
-34.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$552 ฿18.5K
$208 $208
165.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,917 ฿64.2K
$1,684 $1,684
13.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,445 ฿48.4K
$1,392 $1,392
3.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
North Korea
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$592 ฿19.8K
$232 $232
155.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
7.11
-21.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: October 5, 2026
Last update for North Korea: October 6, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai $294 31.8%
North Korea $104 12.3% 64.7% $190
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai $236 25.6%
North Korea $247 29.4% 4.7% $11
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai $110 11.9%
North Korea $89 10.6% 18.8% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai $94 10.2%
North Korea $90 10.7% 4% $3.8
Eating Out
Chiang Mai $77 8.4%
North Korea $182 21.6% 135% $104
Getting Around
Chiang Mai $61 6.6%
North Korea $56 6.6% 8.4% $5.1
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai $51 5.5%
North Korea $75 8.9% 46.7% $24
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai $552 29%
North Korea $208 11.6% 62.3% $344
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai $529 27.8%
North Korea $588 32.6% 11.1% $59
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai $244 12.8%
North Korea $198 11% 18.8% $46
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai $107 5.6%
North Korea $102 5.6% 4.8% $5.1
Eating Out
Chiang Mai $243 12.8%
North Korea $428 23.8% 75.8% $185
Getting Around
Chiang Mai $123 6.5%
North Korea $113 6.3% 8.1% $10
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai $106 5.6%
North Korea $164 9.1% 55% $58
Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇰🇵 North Korea
Weather
Population
127,240
26,418,204
Exchange rates and currency converter
On the map
Lowest
Highest
Between locations
- Chiang Mai North Korea 3,420 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
- Chiang Mai
- North Korea
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 other spots: cost of living compared
Similar cities
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
47
Cost of Living Index in Bansko
Learn more
Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
44
Cost of Living Index in Cebu
Learn more
Denpasar, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
44
Cost of Living Index in Denpasar, Bali
Learn more
Amed, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
43
Cost of Living Index in Amed, Bali
Learn more
Casablanca
🇲🇦 Morocco
47
Cost of Living Index in Casablanca
Learn more
Manila
🇵🇭 Philippines
46
Cost of Living Index in Manila
Learn more
Pristina
🇽🇰 Kosovo
43
Cost of Living Index in Pristina
Learn more
Guangzhou (Canton)
🇨🇳 China
45
Cost of Living Index in Guangzhou (Canton)
Learn more