Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Redondo Beach, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $3,923 in Redondo Beach, CA, rent and utilities included – about $35,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Redondo Beach, CA, United States
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Redondo Beach, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,923
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Redondo Beach, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Redondo Beach, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,923 in Redondo Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Redondo Beach, CA $3,923

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $5,674 in Redondo Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Redondo Beach, CA $5,674

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $7,424 in Redondo Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Redondo Beach, CA $7,424

Chiang Mai is about 76% cheaper than Redondo Beach, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Redondo Beach, CA is 188% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.6
$25.30 $25.30
-91.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿641
$80.7 $80.7
-76.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿187
$14.72 $14.72
-62.30%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.5
$5.61 $5.61
-70.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.53
$3.53 $3.53
-81.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.30
$2.36 $2.36
-86.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.5
$7.65 $7.65
-69.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$9.25 $9.25
-60.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.7
$1.11 $1.11
75.68%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.45
$4.44 $4.44
-67.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.01
$4.76 $4.76
-72.06%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.0
$5.67 $5.67
-59.79%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿555
$15.36 $15.36
7.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿93.8
$15.26 $15.26
-81.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$19.02 $19.02
-51.05%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.4
$4.98 $4.98
-52.81%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.78
$1.77 $1.77
-45.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$5.43 $5.43
-70.53%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
$5.72 $5.72
-73.78%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.10
$3.64 $3.64
-64.84%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.17
$2.42 $2.42
-54.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.81
$2.06 $2.06
-65.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.36
$2.74 $2.74
-82.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$11.80 $11.80
-64.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿591
$15.27 $15.27
14.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$2.52 $2.52
-36.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$4.21 $4.21
-33.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.29
$0.99 $0.99
-12.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,825
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.03
$6.12 $6.12
-81.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.79
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.7
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.87
$1.48 $1.48
-2.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿710.3K
$29.2K $29.2K
-27.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿908.7K
$26.1K $26.1K
3.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,097
$201 $201
-69.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿410
$68.4 $68.4
-82.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿679
$58.7 $58.7
-65.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,259
$96.6 $96.6
-61.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$14.86 $14.86
-56.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.8K
$1,161 $1,161
-36.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,800
$56.5 $56.5
-5.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿831
$39.37 $39.37
-37.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,086
$104 $104
-12.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,426
$103 $103
-30.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$3,095 $3,095
-84.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$2,457 $2,457
-87.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿33.9K
$4,964 $4,964
-79.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$4,169 $4,169
-84.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.7K
$7,453 $7,453
-68.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.6K
$6,504 $6,504
-75.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Redondo Beach, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$7,606 $7,606
-92.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.39
-12.83%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Redondo Beach, CA: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Redondo Beach, CA
$2.5K 696% $2.1K
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Redondo Beach, CA
$471 101% $237
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Redondo Beach, CA
$136 25.6% $28
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Redondo Beach, CA
$328 247% $233
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Redondo Beach, CA
$394 408% $317
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Redondo Beach, CA
$10 * 83.6% $51
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Redondo Beach, CA
$126 151% $76

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $3,095 in Redondo Beach, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Redondo Beach, CA are about 13 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $81 in Redondo Beach, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $471 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇺🇸 Redondo Beach, CA
🕒 Local time
19:14 7:14 PM
04:14 4:14 AM
15 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
67,346
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.73 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.64 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Redondo Beach, CA 12,950 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Redondo Beach, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Redondo Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Redondo Beach, CA?
Redondo Beach, CA costs about 319% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 and in Redondo Beach, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $5,885 in Redondo Beach, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Redondo Beach, CA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $3,095 in Redondo Beach, CA.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Redondo Beach, CA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai and $81 in Redondo Beach, CA. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Redondo Beach, CA?
Groceries cost about 101% more in Redondo Beach, CA, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Redondo Beach, CA?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $3,923 in Redondo Beach, CA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Redondo Beach, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $936 versus $3,923 in Redondo Beach, CA. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Redondo Beach, CA?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Redondo Beach, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Redondo Beach, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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