Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Selfoss Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Selfoss

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,620 in Selfoss, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,533 in Selfoss, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,446 in Selfoss, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 74% cheaper than Selfoss, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Selfoss is 162% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$20.86 ISK 2,513

-72.24%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 ฿25.61

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

$12.30 ISK 1,482

-80.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

$1.73 ISK 208

17.34%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

$7.67 ISK 924

-79.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

$4.62 ISK 557

-69.26%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

$6.66 ISK 802

-67.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

$17.37 ISK 2,093

-8.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$21.79 ISK 2,625

-85.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$33.42 ISK 4,025

-70.47%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

$2.72 ISK 328

-3.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

$2.71 ISK 327

-59.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

$2.64 ISK 318

-38.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

$7.16 ISK 863

-78.63%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

$3.15 ISK 380

-60.63%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

$2.18 ISK 263

-48.17%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

$3.67 ISK 442

-79.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

$1.35 ISK 163

-62.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

$15.90 ISK 1,915

-73.08%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

$1.12 ISK 135

158.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K ฿700.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K ฿902.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$64.9 ฿2,145

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.35 ฿441

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$787 ฿26.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

$2,850 ISK 343.3K

-89.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Selfoss: September 6, 2026

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 Selfoss: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Selfoss costs about 281% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $5,430 in Selfoss. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $950 in Chiang Mai and $3,620 in Selfoss. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 116% more in Selfoss, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $950, than in Selfoss at $3,620. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Selfoss it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $950 versus $3,620 in Selfoss. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Selfoss makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.