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

😐 Solo nomad: Chiang Mai is 181.2% more expensive than Punakha without rent, and 170.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chiang Mai is 175.4% more expensive than Punakha without rent, and 193.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.03 ฿63.8
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.59 ฿585
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 ฿235
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.00 ฿62.8
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿26.63
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.05
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.21 ฿69.5
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.76 ฿118
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 ฿54.0
$0.85 BTN 77.9
102.35%
White Bread (500g)
$1.63 ฿51.4
$0.55 BTN 49.95
196.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.16 ฿36.42
$0.62 BTN 56.7
87.10%
Eggs
$1.98 ฿62.2
$1.63 BTN 150
21.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.93 ฿501
$4.94 BTN 453
222.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.17 ฿99.6
$3.18 BTN 291
-0.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 ฿343
$3.59 BTN 329
203.62%
Apples (1kg)
$2.65 ฿83.2
$3.99 BTN 366
-33.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.22 ฿38.45
$2.35 BTN 215
-48.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.70 ฿53.4
$2.30 BTN 210
-26.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 ฿49.99
$0.79 BTN 72.4
101.27%
Potato (1kg)
$1.32 ฿41.63
$0.51 BTN 46.69
158.82%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 ฿36.74
$0.89 BTN 81.3
31.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.68 ฿21.31
$0.28 BTN 25.49
142.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿17.52
$0.45 BTN 41.31
24.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.51 ฿142
$3.44 BTN 316
31.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.07 ฿600
$3.06 BTN 280
523.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 ฿55.7
$0.82 BTN 74.9
115.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 ฿100.0
$1.31 BTN 120
142.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.96 ฿30.27
$2.31 BTN 211
-58.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.90 ฿594
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 ฿42.69
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 ฿42.51
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.03 ฿253
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 ฿39.08
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ฿665.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K ฿684.0K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$71.2 ฿2,240
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.09 ฿443
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.47 ฿549
$17.82 BTN 1,633
-1.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.07 ฿1,323
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.94 ฿187
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$307 ฿9,664
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿465.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7 ฿1,750
$25.98 BTN 2,381
114.28%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.79 ฿842
$11.53 BTN 1,057
132.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.2 ฿2,617
$54.3 BTN 4,978
53.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.1 ฿2,204
$40.09 BTN 3,673
74.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$427 ฿13.4K
$107 BTN 9,792
299.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$237 ฿7,454
$94.9 BTN 8,697
149.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$802 ฿25.2K
$107 BTN 9,765
652.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$503 ฿15.8K
$135 BTN 12.4K
272.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,061 ฿64.8K
$3,231 BTN 296.1K
-36.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,533 ฿48.2K
$3,080 BTN 282.2K
-50.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Punakha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$654 ฿20.6K
$246 BTN 22.6K
165.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
0
-

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: March 1, 2026

Last update for Punakha: March 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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