๐A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,376 in Roลพลava, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,949 in Roลพลava, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,521 in Roลพลava, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 37% cheaper than Roลพลava, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Chiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while Roลพลava is 2% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98เธฟ64.3
$9.52โฌ8.20
-79.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80เธฟ612
$28.45โฌ24.51
-33.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75เธฟ252
$9.12โฌ7.86
-15.02%
Cappuccino
$1.92เธฟ62.5
$1.14โฌ0.98
68.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79เธฟ25.79
$1.98โฌ1.70
-60.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36เธฟ11.62
$1.62โฌ1.40
-77.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21เธฟ72.1
$2.30โฌ1.98
-3.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66เธฟ119
$2.10โฌ1.81
74.29%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65เธฟ53.8
$1.09โฌ0.94
51.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63เธฟ53.2
$0.95โฌ0.82
71.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19เธฟ38.86
$2.28โฌ1.97
-47.81%
Eggs
$2.00เธฟ65.1
$3.44โฌ2.96
-41.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98เธฟ520
$9.20โฌ7.93
73.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03เธฟ98.5
$7.43โฌ6.40
-59.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86เธฟ354
$11.46โฌ9.87
-5.24%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76เธฟ90.0
$1.19โฌ1.03
131.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18เธฟ38.42
$1.46โฌ1.26
-19.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64เธฟ53.5
$2.30โฌ1.98
-28.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52เธฟ49.51
$4.00โฌ3.45
-62.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38เธฟ45.10
$0.71โฌ0.62
94.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19เธฟ38.84
$0.72โฌ0.62
65.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70เธฟ22.86
$1.40โฌ1.21
-50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56เธฟ18.13
$0.71โฌ0.61
-21.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58เธฟ149
$5.73โฌ4.94
-20.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56เธฟ539
$3.55โฌ3.06
366.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83เธฟ59.5
$0.67โฌ0.58
173.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20เธฟ104
$1.40โฌ1.21
128.57%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88เธฟ28.56
$1.18โฌ1.02
-25.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72เธฟ610
$29.20โฌ25.16
-35.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36เธฟ44.16
$2.36โฌ2.03
-42.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34เธฟ43.65
$0.85โฌ0.73
57.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84เธฟ256
$14.14โฌ12.18
-44.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23เธฟ39.92
$1.83โฌ1.57
-32.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6Kเธฟ704.3K
$24.9Kโฌ21.4K
-13.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kเธฟ734.3K
$25.5Kโฌ21.9K
-11.48%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5เธฟ2,298
$229โฌ197
-69.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68เธฟ445
$28.45โฌ24.51
-51.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45เธฟ568
$22.81โฌ19.65
-23.50%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33เธฟ1,346
$42.75โฌ36.83
-3.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96เธฟ227
$17.16โฌ14.79
-59.44%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77เธฟ188
$8.58โฌ7.39
-32.75%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307เธฟ10.0K
$458โฌ394
-32.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6Kเธฟ475.9K
$7,320โฌ6,307
99.60%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8เธฟ1,817
$61.1โฌ52.6
-8.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21เธฟ854
$31.53โฌ27.17
-16.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8เธฟ2,793
$82.3โฌ70.9
4.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2เธฟ2,353
$103โฌ88.9
-30.01%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430เธฟ14.0K
$586โฌ505
-26.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239เธฟ7,774
$487โฌ420
-51.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817เธฟ26.6K
$963โฌ830
-15.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511เธฟ16.6K
$753โฌ649
-32.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983เธฟ64.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484เธฟ48.3K
-
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Roลพลava
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619เธฟ20.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
4.16
20.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for Roลพลava: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $586 in Roลพลava. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $28.00 in Roลพลava. Groceries tell a different story โ $241 in Chiang Mai vs $217 in Roลพลava โ so Roลพลava 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 Roลพลava: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Roลพลava?
Roลพลava costs about 58% 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 Roลพลava?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,064 in Roลพลava. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Roลพลava?
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 Roลพลava?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $458 in Roลพลava. 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 Roลพลava?
Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Roลพลava โ 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 Roลพลava?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Roลพลava at $1,376. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Roลพลava it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Roลพลava?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,376 in Roลพลava. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Roลพลava?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Roลพลava?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Roลพลava makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared