🙂A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,534 in Round Rock, TX, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,709 in Round Rock, TX, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $4,883 in Round Rock, TX, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 66% cheaper than Round Rock, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Chiang Mai sits 36% below the global median, while Round Rock, TX is 89% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96฿64.0
$19.71$19.71
-90.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81฿615
$76.1$76.1
-75.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92฿259
$11.92$11.92
-33.56%
Cappuccino
$1.91฿62.6
$5.93$5.93
-67.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84฿27.41
$2.67$2.67
-68.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.51
$2.04$2.04
-82.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$5.88$5.88
-62.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80฿124
$7.83$7.83
-51.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64฿53.5
$1.05$1.05
56.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62฿53.1
$3.16$3.16
-48.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18฿38.62
$3.46$3.46
-65.90%
Eggs
$2.01฿65.8
$3.45$3.45
-41.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89฿520
$10.14$10.14
56.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01฿98.5
$12.45$12.45
-75.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77฿352
$14.58$14.58
-26.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61฿85.5
$4.84$4.84
-46.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22฿39.88
$1.66$1.66
-26.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70฿55.7
$3.98$3.98
-57.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58฿51.5
$4.06$4.06
-61.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32฿43.14
$2.41$2.41
-45.23%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17฿38.23
$2.81$2.81
-58.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67฿21.98
$2.01$2.01
-66.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.32
$2.14$2.14
-73.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53฿148
$8.96$8.96
-49.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20฿595
$15.14$15.14
20.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿60.0
$1.91$1.91
-4.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23฿106
$4.52$4.52
-28.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89฿29.00
$3.08$3.08
-71.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38฿634
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35฿44.20
$2.97$2.97
-54.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35฿44.05
$1.73$1.73
-21.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25฿270
$23.60$23.60
-65.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27฿41.64
$0.78$0.78
62.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K฿691.8K
$24.3K$24.3K
-13.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿735.3K
$26.3K$26.3K
-14.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2฿2,294
$227$227
-69.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77฿450
$60.3$60.3
-77.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60฿575
$64.7$64.7
-72.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57฿1,360
$37.40$37.40
11.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60฿216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78฿189
$13.75$13.75
-57.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306฿10.0K
$1,516$1,516
-79.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K฿484.8K
$22.0K$22.0K
-32.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4฿1,778
$60.7$60.7
-10.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14฿855
$44.31$44.31
-41.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5฿2,764
$87.4$87.4
-3.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4฿2,270
$116$116
-40.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424฿13.9K
$1,448$1,448
-70.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238฿7,788
$1,197$1,197
-80.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825฿27.0K
$2,200$2,200
-62.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515฿16.8K
$2,114$2,114
-75.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049฿67.0K
$2,753$2,753
-25.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523฿49.8K
$2,781$2,781
-45.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Round Rock, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635฿20.8K
$4,670$4,670
-86.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
6.59
-24.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Round Rock, TX: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $1,448 in Round Rock, TX. 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 635% higher in Round Rock, TX, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $76.0 in Round Rock, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $372 – 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 Round Rock, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Round Rock, TX?
Round Rock, TX costs about 197% 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 Round Rock, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $3,801 in Round Rock, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Round Rock, TX?
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 dining costs compare in Chiang Mai vs Round Rock, TX?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai and $76.0 in Round Rock, TX. 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 Round Rock, TX?
Groceries cost about 53% more in Round Rock, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Round Rock, TX?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Round Rock, TX at $2,534. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Round Rock, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Round Rock, TX?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,534 in Round Rock, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Round Rock, TX?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Round Rock, TX?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Round Rock, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared