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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $815 in Sentul, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,239 in Sentul, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,663 in Sentul, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Sentul, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Sentul are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Sentul 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$3.49 MYR 14.15

-43.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$18.60 MYR 75.4

1.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$4.84 MYR 19.61

60.12%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.78 MYR 11.28

-30.94%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.73 MYR 2.98

8.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.46 MYR 1.86

-21.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$3.61 MYR 14.62

-38.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$5.17 MYR 20.96

-29.21%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$1.81 MYR 7.35

-8.84%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.94 MYR 3.83

73.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.73 MYR 7.00

-31.21%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.82 MYR 7.38

9.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$10.76 MYR 43.65

48.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$3.44 MYR 13.95

-11.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$8.19 MYR 33.20

32.60%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$2.77 MYR 11.24

-0.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$1.50 MYR 6.09

-21.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$2.55 MYR 10.36

-35.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$1.22 MYR 4.94

24.59%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$1.19 MYR 4.84

15.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$1.38 MYR 5.58

-13.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.90 MYR 3.63

-22.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.63 MYR 2.55

-11.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$4.27 MYR 17.32

7.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$14.40 MYR 58.4

15.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$2.70 MYR 10.94

-32.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$3.00 MYR 12.15

6.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.69 MYR 2.79

27.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$11.74 MYR 47.60

59.45%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$0.98 MYR 3.98

38.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.99 MYR 4.00

35.35%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$9.43 MYR 38.25

-16.86%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.46 MYR 1.85

167.39%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$31.5K MYR 127.9K

-31.46%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$27.9K MYR 113.0K

-19.12%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$40.58 MYR 165

73.83%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$8.89 MYR 36.05

53.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$23.14 MYR 93.9

-24.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$37.26 MYR 151

10.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$5.97 MYR 24.21

16.58%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$4.86 MYR 19.70

18.72%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$185 MYR 751

65.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$6,840 MYR 27.7K

113.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$64.1 MYR 260

-12.99%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$28.43 MYR 115

-7.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$58.2 MYR 236

47.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$47.93 MYR 194

50.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$383 MYR 1,552

12.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$268 MYR 1,085

-10.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$645 MYR 2,616

26.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$475 MYR 1,924

7.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$2,219 MYR 8,998

-10.63%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$982 MYR 3,982

51.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

$877 MYR 3,557

-29.46%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

22.85%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Sentul: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $383 in Sentul. 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 42% higher in Sentul, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $19.00 in Sentul. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $221 in Sentul – so Sentul 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 Sentul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Sentul, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,222 in Sentul. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sentul, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $185 in Sentul. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 9% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $815 in Sentul, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sentul costs $815 versus $869 in Chiang Mai. 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 Sentul. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.