Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Sinajana

For one person, living is cheaper in Sinajana: $900 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $420 less a year. The total is higher in Chiang Mai despite lower rent and utilities.

45

Cost of Living Index in Chiang Mai
Learn more

Chiang Mai Living Index

Jump to prices

Chiang Mai

🇹🇭 Thailand

$935

/mo nomad

Sinajana

🇬🇺 Guam

$900

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $900 in Sinajana, rent included.

Chiang Mai $935
Sinajana $900

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $961 in Sinajana, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,467
Sinajana $961

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,022 in Sinajana, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,999
Sinajana $1,022

Chiang Mai costs about 4% more than Sinajana.

Both Chiang Mai and Sinajana are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Sinajana 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.13 ฿71.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.62 ฿623

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.60 ฿187

Cappuccino

$1.66 ฿55.6

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

$0.65 ฿21.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ฿10.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 ฿77.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿123

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ฿67.4

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 ฿47.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.54

Eggs

$2.37 ฿79.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.52 ฿552

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.67 ฿89.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.02 ฿302

Apples (1kg)

$2.40 ฿80.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 ฿34.82

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 ฿55.5

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 ฿52.1

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.39

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 ฿25.47

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿17.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 ฿138

Wine (Bottle)

$17.93 ฿600

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.62 ฿54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 ฿94.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿31.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.9 ฿1,769

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 ฿39.35

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.17 ฿5.73

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ฿60.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 ฿49.25

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

$21.0K ฿702.6K

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

$26.5K ฿886.7K

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

$62.6 ฿2,092

$627 $627

-90.03%

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

$11.60 ฿388

$122 $122

-90.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.30 ฿679

$150 $150

-86.50%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.88 ฿1,267

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.70 ฿124

Cinema Ticket

$6.51 ฿218

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

$727 ฿24.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.6K ฿554.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 ฿1,790

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.80 ฿829

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 ฿3,023

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.0 ฿2,407

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 ฿35.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$659 ฿22.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,418 ฿80.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,609 ฿53.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿19.9K

$5,210 $5,210

-88.58%

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: November 1, 2026

Last update for Sinajana: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chiang Mai

$310 33.1%

Sinajana

–

Groceries & Markets

Chiang Mai

$237 25.3%

Sinajana

–

Clothing & Footwear

Chiang Mai

$108 11.6%

Sinajana

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chiang Mai

$94 10.1%

Sinajana

–

Eating Out

Chiang Mai

$77 8.2%

Sinajana

–

Getting Around

Chiang Mai

$59 6.3%

Sinajana

–

Sport & Entertainment

Chiang Mai

$51 5.4%

Sinajana

–

Cost Breakdown

Salaries in Sinajana are about 8.8 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

Good to know

🇹🇭 Chiang Mai

🇬🇺 Sinajana

🕒 Local time

23:50 11:50 PM

02:50 2:50 AM

3 h ahead of Chiang Mai

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

127,240

2,853

💱 Currency

Thai Baht THB ฿

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

100 THB = 2.99 USD

100 THB = 2.66 EUR

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇹🇭 Thai Baht (฿)

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 33.44 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.56 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

USD to THB in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Chiang Mai Sinajana 4,910 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight

From you

Chiang Mai
Sinajana

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 Sinajana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 4% more than Sinajana, 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,350 in Sinajana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $935 in Chiang Mai and $900 in Sinajana. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $900 in Sinajana to $935 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.