Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Sidi Slimane

For one person, living is cheaper in Sidi Slimane: $693 a month against $925 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $2,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$925
/mo nomad
Sidi Slimane
🇲🇦 Morocco
$693
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Sidi Slimane

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

A single person spends $925 per month in Chiang Mai vs $693 in Sidi Slimane, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $925
  • Sidi Slimane $693

A couple spends around $1,414 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,065 in Sidi Slimane, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,414
  • Sidi Slimane $1,065

A family of three spends $1,903 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,437 in Sidi Slimane, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,903
  • Sidi Slimane $1,437

Chiang Mai costs about 33% more than Sidi Slimane, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Sidi Slimane are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Sidi Slimane 49% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.29 ฿76.5
$3.90 MAD 38.01
-41.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.64 ฿656
$20.99 MAD 205
-6.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.61 ฿188
$6.27 MAD 61.2
-10.53%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.6
$1.61 MAD 15.70
3.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 ฿23.40
$0.52 MAD 5.03
34.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.24
$0.37 MAD 3.57
-16.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.41 ฿80.4
$4.52 MAD 44.03
-46.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71 ฿124
$3.25 MAD 31.64
14.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.3
$0.96 MAD 9.40
103.13%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.03
$0.60 MAD 5.80
135.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.31 ฿43.62
$1.65 MAD 16.04
-20.61%
Eggs
$2.18 ฿72.9
$1.86 MAD 18.15
17.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.65 ฿556
$7.14 MAD 69.6
133.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.76 ฿92.2
$5.60 MAD 54.6
-50.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.11 ฿304
$11.85 MAD 116
-23.12%
Apples (1kg)
$2.39 ฿80.0
$1.38 MAD 13.50
73.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.03 ฿34.26
$1.26 MAD 12.28
-18.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.63 ฿54.4
$0.79 MAD 7.68
106.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.0
$0.79 MAD 7.67
89.87%
Potato (1kg)
$1.29 ฿43.13
$0.67 MAD 6.53
92.54%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 ฿37.03
$0.78 MAD 7.57
42.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ฿24.08
$0.41 MAD 4.02
75.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.59
$0.52 MAD 5.10
1.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.31 ฿144
$4.09 MAD 39.89
5.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.95 ฿600
$8.21 MAD 80.1
118.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 ฿52.9
$2.44 MAD 23.83
-35.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ฿95.0
$2.77 MAD 27.02
2.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 ฿28.86
$0.51 MAD 4.98
68.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.3 ฿1,780
$23.10 MAD 225
130.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.21 ฿40.29
$0.67 MAD 6.58
80.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.57 ฿18.99
$0.81 MAD 7.92
-29.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.35 ฿78.6
$5.01 MAD 48.84
-53.09%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.44 ฿47.96
$1.51 MAD 14.70
-4.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K ฿692.8K
$33.0K MAD 322.1K
-37.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K ฿895.7K
$34.3K MAD 334.4K
-21.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.3 ฿2,083
$33.47 MAD 326
86.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.11 ฿405
$8.98 MAD 87.6
34.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.94 ฿666
$32.74 MAD 319
-39.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.07 ฿1,239
$24.13 MAD 235
53.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.78 ฿126
$20.86 MAD 203
-81.88%
Cinema Ticket
$6.50 ฿217
$5.57 MAD 54.4
16.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$793 ฿26.5K
$100 MAD 977
690.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿494.9K
$5,202 MAD 50.7K
184.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7 ฿1,796
$27.90 MAD 272
92.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.62 ฿823
$40.76 MAD 397
-39.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.9 ฿3,036
$74.8 MAD 730
21.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.1 ฿2,378
$73.5 MAD 717
-3.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$455 ฿15.2K
$265 MAD 2,584
71.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$298 ฿9,954
$171 MAD 1,671
73.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$908 ฿30.4K
$468 MAD 4,565
93.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$554 ฿18.5K
$271 MAD 2,644
104.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,931 ฿64.5K
$1,177 MAD 11.5K
63.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,445 ฿48.3K
$814 MAD 7,937
77.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Sidi Slimane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$591 ฿19.7K
$254 MAD 2,475
132.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
4.55
22.42%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 17, 2026

Last update for Sidi Slimane: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$298
Sidi Slimane
$171 42.5% $126
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$235
Sidi Slimane
$182 22.8% $54
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Sidi Slimane
$98 9.7% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Sidi Slimane
$75 20.3% $19
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$79
Sidi Slimane
$102 29.7% $23
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Sidi Slimane
$30 50.8% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Sidi Slimane
$35 29.5% $15

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $455 in Chiang Mai versus $265 in Sidi Slimane. 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 133% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $21.00 in Sidi Slimane. Groceries tell a different story – $235 in Chiang Mai vs $182 in Sidi Slimane – so Sidi Slimane wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇲🇦 Sidi Slimane
🕒 Local time
07:16 7:16 AM
01:16 1:16 AM
6 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
92,989
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

MAD, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 9.75 MAD (1 MAD = 0.103 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Sidi Slimane 10,140 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Sidi Slimane

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 Sidi Slimane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Sidi Slimane?
Chiang Mai costs about 33% more than Sidi Slimane, 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 Sidi Slimane?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,388 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,040 in Sidi Slimane. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Sidi Slimane?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sidi Slimane, 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 in Sidi Slimane?
Kindergarten costs $793 per month in Chiang Mai and $100 in Sidi Slimane. 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 in Sidi Slimane?
Groceries cost about 30% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Sidi Slimane?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sidi Slimane, where all-in costs run around $693, than in Chiang Mai at $925. In Sidi Slimane it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Sidi Slimane?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sidi Slimane costs $693 versus $925 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Sidi Slimane?
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 to Sidi Slimane?
If budget matters most, go with Sidi Slimane. 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.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?