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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $737 in Rawang, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,202 in Rawang, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,666 in Rawang, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 29% more than Rawang, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chiang Mai and Rawang are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Rawang 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

$3.66 MYR 14.89

-42.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

$19.88 MYR 80.9

-0.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$5.01 MYR 20.36

15.57%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

$2.96 MYR 12.02

-38.18%

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

$0.78 ฿25.61

$0.85 MYR 3.44

-8.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

$0.36 MYR 1.48

-13.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

$4.16 MYR 16.91

-43.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

$4.38 MYR 17.82

-15.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

$1.84 MYR 7.51

10.33%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

$1.11 MYR 4.52

44.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

$1.71 MYR 6.95

-16.96%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

$2.13 MYR 8.68

2.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

$16.09 MYR 65.5

-1.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$4.99 MYR 20.31

-38.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$9.73 MYR 39.56

1.44%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

$2.99 MYR 12.16

-12.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

$1.93 MYR 7.84

-43.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

$2.51 MYR 10.21

-35.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

$1.53 MYR 6.21

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

$1.32 MYR 5.36

-6.06%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

$1.40 MYR 5.68

-19.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

$1.18 MYR 4.79

-37.29%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

$0.57 MYR 2.33

-12.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

$4.43 MYR 18.04

-3.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

$19.09 MYR 77.7

-5.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

$3.02 MYR 12.30

-43.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

$4.16 MYR 16.93

-30.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

$0.71 MYR 2.89

32.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

$12.22 MYR 49.72

352.45%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

$1.72 MYR 7.01

-28.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

$0.41 MYR 1.68

29.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

$6.92 MYR 28.16

-65.32%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

$0.81 MYR 3.31

77.78%

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

$21.2K ฿700.2K

$42.4K MYR 172.3K

-49.96%

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

$27.3K ฿902.1K

$34.7K MYR 141.1K

-21.28%

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

$64.9 ฿2,145

$38.27 MYR 156

69.66%

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

$13.35 ฿441

$9.99 MYR 40.62

33.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

$30.48 MYR 124

-31.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

$40.42 MYR 164

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

$6.55 MYR 26.64

-39.69%

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

$5.54 MYR 22.55

21.12%

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

$787 ฿26.0K

$308 MYR 1,252

155.76%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

$10.9K MYR 44.4K

38.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

$61.7 MYR 251

-8.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

$35.16 MYR 143

-29.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

$85.3 MYR 347

8.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

$70.4 MYR 286

6.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

$143 MYR 580

239.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

$104 MYR 422

177.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$594 MYR 2,415

53.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$239 MYR 974

121.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

$2,056 MYR 8,366

-3.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

$1,114 MYR 4,530

30.31%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$1,018 MYR 4,143

-40.57%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.24

31.37%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Rawang: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $484 in Chiang Mai versus $143 in Rawang. 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 68% higher in Rawang, 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $20.00 in Rawang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $242 vs $271 – 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 Rawang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 29% more than Rawang, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,105 in Rawang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $787 per month in Chiang Mai and $308 in Rawang. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Rawang, where all-in costs run around $737, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Rawang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rawang costs $737 versus $950 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 Rawang. 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.