Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Shahrisabz

For one person, living is cheaper in Shahrisabz: $236 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $8,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Shahrisabz
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
$236
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $236 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Shahrisabz $236

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $415 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Shahrisabz $415

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $594 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Shahrisabz $594

Chiang Mai costs about 296% more than Shahrisabz, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Shahrisabz are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Shahrisabz 83% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.6
$3.04 UZS 36.4K
-29.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿624
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿188
$2.04 UZS 24.4K
174.51%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.8
$0.57 UZS 6,867
191.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.69
$0.48 UZS 5,719
35.42%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.22
$0.21 UZS 2,527
42.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿77.9
$1.01 UZS 12.1K
129.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$1.95 UZS 23.3K
88.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿67.6
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.21
$0.26 UZS 3,138
442.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.67
$2.03 UZS 24.3K
-31.53%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.4
$0.92 UZS 11.1K
157.61%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿554
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿89.5
$2.05 UZS 24.6K
30.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿302
$7.06 UZS 84.5K
27.76%
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.4
$0.67 UZS 7,966
258.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿34.91
$0.97 UZS 11.6K
7.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿55.6
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.3
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.50
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.44
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.54
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.24
$0.59 UZS 7,056
-13.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿138
$0.98 UZS 11.7K
320.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿601
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.4
$1.01 UZS 12.1K
60.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿94.6
$2.02 UZS 24.2K
39.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.33
$0.42 UZS 5,024
121.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,773
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.45
$0.42 UZS 4,973
180.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.75
$0.23 UZS 2,726
-26.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿60.8
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.38
$0.93 UZS 11.2K
58.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿704.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿889.1K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,098
$46.61 UZS 558.2K
34.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿389
$2.94 UZS 35.2K
294.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿681
$8.84 UZS 105.8K
129.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,270
$29.78 UZS 356.7K
27.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿124
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿218
$7.11 UZS 85.1K
-8.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.4K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿555.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,795
$11.90 UZS 142.6K
349.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿832
$11.19 UZS 133.9K
121.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,031
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,413
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.5K
$200 UZS 2.4M
430.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.1K
$152 UZS 1.8M
333.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿81.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿53.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Shahrisabz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿19.9K
$424 UZS 5.1M
40.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
0
-

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Shahrisabz: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Shahrisabz
–
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Shahrisabz
–
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Shahrisabz
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Shahrisabz
–
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Shahrisabz
–
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Shahrisabz
–
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Shahrisabz
–

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 40% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇺🇿 Shahrisabz
🕒 Local time
05:15 5:15 AM
03:15 3:15 AM
2 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
100,300
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

UZS, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 33.53 THB (100 THB = 2.98 USD). 1 EUR = 37.47 THB (100 THB = 2.67 EUR).

Uzbekistani Som exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 11,975 UZS (100,000 UZS = 8.35 USD). 1 EUR = 13,383 UZS (100,000 UZS = 7.47 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Shahrisabz 3,820 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Shahrisabz

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 Shahrisabz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Shahrisabz?
Chiang Mai costs about 296% more than Shahrisabz, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Shahrisabz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $354 in Shahrisabz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai compared to Shahrisabz?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $935 in Chiang Mai and $236 in Shahrisabz. That makes Shahrisabz about 75% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Shahrisabz?
Groceries cost about 232% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Shahrisabz?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Shahrisabz, where all-in costs run around $236, than in Chiang Mai at $935. In Shahrisabz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Shahrisabz?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $236 in Shahrisabz to $935 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Shahrisabz?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Shahrisabz?
If budget matters most, go with Shahrisabz. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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