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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $942 in Portoviejo, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,460 in Portoviejo, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,978 in Portoviejo, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 9% cheaper than Portoviejo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Portoviejo are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Portoviejo 29% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿65.8

$3.44 $3.44

-43.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.35 ฿617

$46.96 $46.96

-60.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 ฿252

$8.21 $8.21

-8.89%

Cappuccino

$2.02 ฿67.8

$2.49 $2.49

-18.88%

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

$0.85 ฿28.50

$0.86 $0.86

-1.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.96

$0.63 $0.63

-42.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.8

$3.07 $3.07

-30.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 ฿121

$4.51 $4.51

-20.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿55.5

$1.12 $1.12

47.32%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.7

$1.71 $1.71

-8.19%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿40.02

$1.78 $1.78

-33.15%

Eggs

$1.94 ฿65.1

$2.60 $2.60

-25.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿544

$5.97 $5.97

171.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.99 ฿101

$5.14 $5.14

-41.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.94 ฿368

$6.40 $6.40

70.94%

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 ฿91.2

$2.12 $2.12

27.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.25

$1.09 $1.09

7.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 ฿56.7

$1.05 $1.05

60.95%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 ฿54.0

$1.04 $1.04

53.85%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿46.54

$1.87 $1.87

-26.20%

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.45

$1.39 $1.39

-13.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿22.50

$0.70 $0.70

-4.29%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.73

$0.98 $0.98

-42.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.64 ฿156

$6.09 $6.09

-23.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.62 ฿593

$11.78 $11.78

49.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿62.5

$1.64 $1.64

13.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 ฿111

$2.16 $2.16

52.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.68

$0.34 $0.34

158.82%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.34 ฿650

$23.89 $23.89

-19.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿45.90

$2.70 $2.70

-49.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.98

$0.98 $0.98

36.73%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.21 ฿276

$9.86 $9.86

-16.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ฿41.18

$0.68 $0.68

79.41%

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

$21.4K ฿718.1K

$25.5K $25.5K

-16.18%

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

$22.5K ฿757.7K

$29.0K $29.0K

-22.25%

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

$70.7 ฿2,376

$37.07 $37.07

90.64%

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

$14.04 ฿472

$13.60 $13.60

3.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.49 ฿588

$31.36 $31.36

-44.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.15 ฿1,417

$30.41 $30.41

38.61%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿231

$14.40 $14.40

-52.22%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿199

$7.85 $7.85

-24.59%

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

$309 ฿10.4K

$310 $310

-0.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K ฿500.4K

$5,880 $5,880

153.05%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,875

$52.1 $52.1

7.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.11 ฿878

$43.80 $43.80

-40.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.0 ฿2,792

$102 $102

-18.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.5 ฿2,369

$112 $112

-37.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 ฿14.5K

$346 $346

24.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿8,035

$320 $320

-25.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$822 ฿27.7K

$630 $630

30.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$512 ฿17.2K

$491 $491

4.27%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,915 ฿64.4K

$1,192 $1,192

60.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,467 ฿49.3K

$799 $799

83.65%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$579 ฿19.5K

$325 $325

78.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.35

-46.52%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Portoviejo: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $346 in Portoviejo. 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 78% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $47.00 in Portoviejo. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $194 in Portoviejo – so Portoviejo 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 Portoviejo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Portoviejo costs about 9% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,414 in Portoviejo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $310 in Portoviejo. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Portoviejo – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $942 in Portoviejo, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $942 in Portoviejo. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Portoviejo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.