ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,740 in Oudsbergen, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,583 in Oudsbergen, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,426 in Oudsbergen, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 51% cheaper than Oudsbergen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChiang Mai sits 36% below the global median, while Oudsbergen is 30% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$17.89âŽ15.32
-89.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$69.2âŽ59.3
-72.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$8.83âŽ7.56
-10.31%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$2.93âŽ2.51
-34.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$2.48âŽ2.12
-66.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$2.50âŽ2.14
-86.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$4.21âŽ3.61
-47.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$4.26âŽ3.65
-10.80%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.02âŽ0.88
60.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$2.52âŽ2.16
-35.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.47âŽ1.26
-19.73%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.66âŽ1.42
21.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$17.19âŽ14.71
-7.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$10.57âŽ9.05
-71.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$18.58âŽ15.91
-42.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.93âŽ1.65
35.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$2.33âŽ2.00
-47.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.41âŽ1.21
20.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$1.41âŽ1.21
12.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$2.97âŽ2.54
-55.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.77âŽ0.66
51.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.19âŽ1.02
-43.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.83âŽ0.71
-32.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$9.33âŽ7.99
-51.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$9.23âŽ7.90
97.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.70âŽ1.45
7.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.93âŽ1.66
67.36%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$2.85âŽ2.44
-68.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$57.6âŽ49.33
-66.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$2.77âŽ2.37
-51.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$1.12âŽ0.96
20.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$34.35âŽ29.41
-75.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.94âŽ1.66
-34.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$36.0KâŽ30.8K
-41.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$32.5KâŽ27.8K
-30.88%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$87.6âŽ75.0
-19.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$25.38âŽ21.73
-45.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$52.2âŽ44.68
-66.28%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$31.71âŽ27.14
31.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$16.92âŽ14.49
-60.99%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$14.71âŽ12.59
-60.71%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$278âŽ238
10.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$8,720âŽ7,464
70.01%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$56.3âŽ48.21
-3.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$41.22âŽ35.28
-36.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$70.0âŽ60.0
20.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$91.3âŽ78.1
-23.94%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$907âŽ776
-53.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$757âŽ648
-68.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$1,346âŽ1,152
-38.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$1,109âŽ950
-53.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$3,408âŽ2,917
-39.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$2,543âŽ2,177
-40.12%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Oudsbergen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$3,400âŽ2,910
-81.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
2.83
76.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Oudsbergen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $907 in Oudsbergen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 435% higher in Oudsbergen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $69.0 in Oudsbergen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $301 â 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 Oudsbergen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Oudsbergen?
Oudsbergen costs about 104% 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 Oudsbergen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,610 in Oudsbergen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Oudsbergen?
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 Oudsbergen?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $278 in Oudsbergen. 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 Oudsbergen?
Groceries cost about 24% more in Oudsbergen, 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 Oudsbergen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Oudsbergen at $1,740. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Oudsbergen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Oudsbergen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,740 in Oudsbergen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Oudsbergen?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Oudsbergen?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Oudsbergen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared