ðA single person spends $872 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,498 in Rio de Mouro, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,337 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,451 in Rio de Mouro, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,405 in Rio de Mouro, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 42% cheaper than Rio de Mouro, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while Rio de Mouro is 11% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01āļŋ64.5
$17.04âŽ14.50
-88.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.23āļŋ584
$59.0âŽ50.2
-69.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.65āļŋ245
$9.27âŽ7.89
-17.48%
Cappuccino
$1.92āļŋ61.5
$2.33âŽ1.98
-17.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ26.97
$1.76âŽ1.50
-52.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36āļŋ11.42
$1.13âŽ0.96
-68.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.19āļŋ70.2
$2.33âŽ1.98
-6.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79āļŋ121
$4.12âŽ3.51
-8.01%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ52.5
$1.12âŽ0.96
46.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ52.0
$1.24âŽ1.05
30.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.15āļŋ36.98
$1.61âŽ1.37
-28.57%
Eggs
$1.94āļŋ62.2
$3.50âŽ2.98
-44.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.94āļŋ511
$9.49âŽ8.08
67.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.10āļŋ99.5
$7.43âŽ6.32
-58.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.07āļŋ355
$11.58âŽ9.86
-4.40%
Apples(1kg)
$2.71āļŋ86.8
$3.04âŽ2.59
-10.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ37.80
$1.46âŽ1.24
-19.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71āļŋ54.7
$1.71âŽ1.46
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.61āļŋ51.5
$2.26âŽ1.92
-28.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39āļŋ44.66
$2.13âŽ1.81
-34.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.15āļŋ36.81
$2.13âŽ1.81
-46.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71āļŋ22.83
$1.13âŽ0.96
-37.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55āļŋ17.65
$0.89âŽ0.76
-38.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.57āļŋ146
$6.12âŽ5.21
-25.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.87āļŋ605
$4.66âŽ3.96
304.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82āļŋ58.4
$1.26âŽ1.08
44.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21āļŋ103
$2.63âŽ2.23
22.05%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88āļŋ28.24
$2.24âŽ1.91
-60.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.89āļŋ606
$47.17âŽ40.14
-59.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.30
$3.80âŽ3.24
-62.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.30āļŋ41.71
$0.86âŽ0.73
51.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.20āļŋ263
$17.55âŽ14.93
-53.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23āļŋ39.29
$2.02âŽ1.72
-39.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
$34.5KâŽ29.4K
-38.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
$38.8KâŽ33.0K
-42.43%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.9āļŋ2,240
$104âŽ88.5
-32.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.07āļŋ451
$21.58âŽ18.37
-34.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.70āļŋ567
$43.89âŽ37.35
-59.67%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.41āļŋ1,328
$40.21âŽ34.22
2.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.69āļŋ215
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.74āļŋ184
$8.32âŽ7.08
-31.01%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,593
$635âŽ541
-52.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
$7,387âŽ6,286
103.17%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8āļŋ1,758
$68.9âŽ58.6
-20.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.35āļŋ845
$47.17âŽ40.14
-44.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.7āļŋ2,714
$72.4âŽ61.6
16.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.7āļŋ2,236
$57.6âŽ49.01
21.10%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$427āļŋ13.7K
$910âŽ775
-53.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241āļŋ7,718
$630âŽ536
-61.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$811āļŋ26.0K
$809âŽ688
0.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.0K
$1,395âŽ1,187
-64.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
-
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Rio de Mouro
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$639āļŋ20.5K
$927âŽ789
-31.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.01
-0.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Last update for Rio de Mouro: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $427 in Chiang Mai versus $910 in Rio de Mouro. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 45% higher in Rio de Mouro, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $59 in Rio de Mouro. Groceries tell a different story â $246 in Chiang Mai vs $233 in Rio de Mouro â so Rio de Mouro 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 Rio de Mouro: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
Rio de Mouro costs about 72% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by 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 vs Rio de Mouro?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,308 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,246 in Rio de Mouro. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
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.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Rio de Mouro?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $635 in Rio de Mouro. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Rio de Mouro â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Rio de Mouro at $1,498. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rio de Mouro it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,498 in Rio de Mouro. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Rio de Mouro?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Rio de Mouro?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rio de Mouro makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared