Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Rolle

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $3,596 in Rolle, rent and utilities included – about $31,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Rolle, Switzerland
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Rolle
🇨🇭 Switzerland
$3,596
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Rolle

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 Rolle actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,596 in Rolle, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Rolle $3,596

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $5,313 in Rolle, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Rolle $5,313

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $7,029 in Rolle, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Rolle $7,029

Chiang Mai is about 74% cheaper than Rolle, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Rolle is 164% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.6
$29.35 CHF 24.21
-92.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿641
$113 CHF 93.2
-83.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿187
$15.43 CHF 12.73
-64.03%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.5
$6.26 CHF 5.16
-73.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.54
$5.15 CHF 4.25
-87.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.31
$4.33 CHF 3.57
-92.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.5
$8.86 CHF 7.31
-73.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$7.92 CHF 6.53
-53.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.7
$2.22 CHF 1.83
-12.16%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.46
$2.95 CHF 2.43
-51.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.03
$3.24 CHF 2.67
-58.95%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$7.74 CHF 6.39
-70.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿555
$24.57 CHF 20.27
-33.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$29.07 CHF 23.98
-90.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$39.44 CHF 32.54
-76.39%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.4
$3.67 CHF 3.03
-35.97%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.79
$2.11 CHF 1.74
-54.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$2.62 CHF 2.16
-38.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
$4.46 CHF 3.68
-66.37%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.11
$1.77 CHF 1.46
-27.68%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.18
$2.04 CHF 1.68
-46.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.82
$2.21 CHF 1.82
-67.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.36
$1.36 CHF 1.13
-63.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$11.02 CHF 9.09
-62.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿591
$11.93 CHF 9.84
46.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$2.62 CHF 2.16
-38.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$3.24 CHF 2.67
-14.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.30
$4.56 CHF 3.76
-80.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,825
$102 CHF 83.8
-46.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.04
$8.41 CHF 6.94
-86.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.80
$4.69 CHF 3.87
-88.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.7
$83.5 CHF 68.9
-97.10%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.88
$2.41 CHF 1.99
-39.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿710.5K
$38.9K CHF 32.1K
-45.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.0K
$39.7K CHF 32.7K
-32.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,098
$277 CHF 228
-77.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$37.35 CHF 30.81
-67.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿679
$56.0 CHF 46.19
-64.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,259
$85.7 CHF 70.7
-56.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$46.44 CHF 38.30
-91.88%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$24.21 CHF 19.97
-73.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.8K
$2,903 CHF 2,395
-74.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.2K
$30.2K CHF 24.9K
-51.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,801
$143 CHF 118
-62.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿831
$60.2 CHF 49.70
-59.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,087
$137 CHF 113
-33.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,427
$195 CHF 161
-63.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$1,823 CHF 1,504
-73.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$1,670 CHF 1,378
-81.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿33.9K
$2,940 CHF 2,425
-65.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$2,609 CHF 2,152
-75.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.7K
$14.8K CHF 12.2K
-84.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.6K
$11.1K CHF 9,153
-85.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Rolle
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$5,429 CHF 4,478
-89.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
1.95
185.64%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Rolle: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Rolle
$1.7K 441% $1.4K
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Rolle
$575 145% $341
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Rolle
$241 122% $132
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Rolle
$370 292% $276
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Rolle
$454 486% $377
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Rolle
$152 147% $90
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Rolle
$134 167% $84

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $1,823 in Rolle. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Rolle are about 9.2 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $113 in Rolle. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $575 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇨🇭 Rolle
🕒 Local time
02:17 2:17 AM
20:17 8:17 PM
6 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
6,200
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

CHF, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Swiss Franc exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 0.825 CHF (1 CHF = 1.21 USD). 1 EUR = 0.921 CHF (1 CHF = 1.09 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Rolle 8,700 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Rolle

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 Rolle: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Rolle?
Rolle costs about 284% 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 Rolle?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $5,395 in Rolle. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Rolle?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $1,823 in Rolle.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Rolle?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,903 in Rolle. 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 in Rolle?
Groceries cost about 145% more in Rolle, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Rolle?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $3,596 in Rolle. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Chiang Mai – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Rolle?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rolle makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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