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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $733 in Ongjin, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,149 in Ongjin, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,564 in Ongjin, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 29% more than Ongjin, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Ongjin are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Ongjin 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.6

$2.93 $2.93

-29.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

$23.17 $23.17

-15.24%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

$7.89 $7.89

-28.39%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.4

$1.18 $1.18

53.39%

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

$0.71 ฿23.45

$1.00 $1.00

-29.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$1.01 $1.01

-68.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.6

$6.95 $6.95

-67.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

$2.36 $2.36

53.81%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$0.95 $0.95

106.32%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.39

$1.67 $1.67

-10.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.93

$2.26 $2.26

-40.71%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.5

$3.27 $3.27

-30.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿535

$4.61 $4.61

252.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$2.26 $2.26

30.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

$5.87 $5.87

69.34%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.6

$7.08 $7.08

-63.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.73

$4.73 $4.73

-77.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$2.36 $2.36

-31.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.97

$2.26 $2.26

-32.74%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.77

$3.54 $3.54

-64.12%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.06

$3.59 $3.59

-70.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.68

$2.30 $2.30

-68.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$0.48 $0.48

6.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

$4.72 $4.72

-11.23%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$7.94 $7.94

125.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$1.15 $1.15

46.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.3

$2.36 $2.36

20.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.43

$1.07 $1.07

-13.08%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,771

$40.70 $40.70

32.33%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.59

$1.60 $1.60

-23.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

$2.34 $2.34

-75.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

$41.75 $41.75

-94.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.43

$0.74 $0.74

90.54%

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

$21.4K ฿705.1K

$23.1K $23.1K

-7.36%

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

$27.3K ฿898.7K

$28.6K $28.6K

-4.33%

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

$63.7 ฿2,093

$34.48 $34.48

84.66%

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

$12.85 ฿423

$11.80 $11.80

8.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

$45.72 $45.72

-55.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$43.88 $43.88

-11.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

$14.82 $14.82

-73.21%

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿222

$7.92 $7.92

-14.90%

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

$778 ฿25.6K

$112 $112

592.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.4K

$2,151 $2,151

579.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

$22.93 $22.93

136.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿837

$29.35 $29.35

-13.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,102

$64.0 $64.0

47.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,415

$87.2 $87.2

-15.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

$94.3 $94.3

419.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,512

$92.4 $92.4

213.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

$2,279 $2,279

-60.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

$141 $141

265.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

$1,773 $1,773

10.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.6K

$1,462 $1,462

1.03%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

$219 $219

175.48%

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: August 31, 2026

Last update for Ongjin: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $94.3 in Ongjin. 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 175% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $23.00 in Ongjin. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $235 in Ongjin – so Ongjin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Ongjin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 29% more than Ongjin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,100 in Ongjin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ongjin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $778 per month in Chiang Mai and $112 in Ongjin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 2% 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.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ongjin, where all-in costs run around $733, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Ongjin 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. Ongjin costs $733 versus $947 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 Ongjin. 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.