Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and OyoCost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Oyo
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $703 in Oyo, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,281 in Oyo, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,859 in Oyo, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 21% more than Oyo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Oyo are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Oyo47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96฿64.0
$2.65₦3,651
-26.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81฿615
$50.3₦69.3K
-62.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92฿259
$5.18₦7,126
52.90%
Cappuccino
$1.91฿62.6
$2.13₦2,935
-10.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84฿27.41
$0.34₦468
147.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.51
$0.22₦303
59.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$0.85₦1,166
160.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80฿124
$1.38₦1,901
175.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64฿53.5
$2.24₦3,080
-26.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62฿53.1
$1.24₦1,705
30.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18฿38.62
$2.34₦3,228
-49.57%
Eggs
$2.01฿65.8
$1.76₦2,418
14.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89฿520
$6.17₦8,496
157.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01฿98.5
$4.12₦5,674
-26.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77฿352
$5.35₦7,370
101.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61฿85.5
$3.55₦4,881
-26.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22฿39.88
$2.10₦2,898
-41.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70฿55.7
$2.09₦2,880
-18.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58฿51.5
$2.40₦3,301
-34.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32฿43.14
$2.28₦3,141
-42.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.23
$1.92₦2,647
-39.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67฿21.98
$1.97₦2,713
-65.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.32
$0.35₦484
60.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53฿148
$1.25₦1,714
262.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20฿595
$3.17₦4,359
474.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿60.0
$0.64₦884
185.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$0.88₦1,213
267.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89฿29.00
$0.34₦473
161.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38฿634
$14.36₦19.8K
34.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35฿44.20
$1.24₦1,709
8.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35฿44.05
$2.26₦3,111
-40.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25฿270
$4.58₦6,300
80.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.64
$0.77₦1,067
64.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K฿691.8K
$20.4K₦28.1M
3.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿735.3K
$20.5K₦28.3M
9.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2฿2,294
$41.78₦57.5K
67.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77฿450
$9.99₦13.8K
37.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60฿575
$34.55₦47.6K
-49.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57฿1,360
$14.43₦19.9K
188.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60฿216
$4.59₦6,314
43.79%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78฿189
$6.24₦8,597
-7.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306฿10.0K
$82.7₦113.8K
270.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K฿484.8K
$2,271₦3.1M
552.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4฿1,778
$19.56₦26.9K
177.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14฿855
$24.26₦33.4K
7.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5฿2,764
$48.20₦66.4K
75.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4฿2,270
$34.59₦47.6K
100.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424฿13.9K
$412₦566.9K
2.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238฿7,788
$248₦341.7K
-4.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825฿27.0K
$1,055₦1.5M
-21.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.8K
$637₦876.9K
-19.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049฿67.0K
$742₦1.0M
176.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523฿49.8K
$184₦253.9K
725.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Oyo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635฿20.8K
$33.32₦45.9K
1806.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10
-50.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Oyo: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $412 in Oyo. 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 1806% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $50.0 in Oyo. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $191 in Oyo – so Oyo 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 Oyo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Oyo?
Chiang Mai costs about 21% more than Oyo, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Oyo?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,055 in Oyo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Oyo?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Oyo, 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 Oyo?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $82.7 in Oyo. 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 Oyo?
Groceries cost about 27% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Oyo?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $703 in Oyo, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Oyo?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Oyo costs $703 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Oyo?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Oyo?
If budget matters most, go with Oyo. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared