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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $799 in Pago Pago, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,400 in Pago Pago, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,002 in Pago Pago, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Pago Pago, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Pago Pago are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Pago Pago 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿64.0

$25.10 $25.10

-92.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$6.93 $6.93

171.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$0.99 $0.99

92.93%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$1.28 $1.28

-34.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$1.97 $1.97

12.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

$1.95 $1.95

94.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$2.62 $2.62

-37.40%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$2.94 $2.94

-44.90%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$4.35 $4.35

-72.87%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$4.46 $4.46

-54.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$10.16 $10.16

56.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$11.28 $11.28

-4.52%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$11.58 $11.58

-60.88%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

$14.78 $14.78

23.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$3.03 $3.03

6.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿29.00

$2.05 $2.05

-56.59%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$4.95 $4.95

-72.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$1.31 $1.31

-3.05%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

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

$13.77 ฿450

$30.40 $30.40

-54.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$75.5 $75.5

-76.69%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$49.09 $49.09

-15.32%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$9.82 $9.82

-32.79%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$8.82 $8.82

-34.47%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$147 $147

187.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$199 $199

19.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$902 $902

-8.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$696 $696

-26.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$18.2K $18.2K

-88.73%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$10.6K $10.6K

-85.65%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

$1,220 $1,220

-47.95%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Last update for Pago Pago: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $147 in Pago Pago. 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 92% higher in Pago Pago, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $7.00 in Pago Pago. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $191 – making Pago Pago 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 Pago Pago: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Pago Pago, 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 $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,199 in Pago Pago. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $852 in Chiang Mai and $799 in Pago Pago. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

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.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $799 in Pago Pago, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Pago Pago costs $799 versus $852 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 Pago Pago. 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.