ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $349 in Srikakulam, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $546 in Srikakulam, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $744 in Srikakulam, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 144% more than Srikakulam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Srikakulam are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Srikakulam74% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$2.30âđ218
-14.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$9.22âđ875
104.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$3.46âđ329
128.90%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.51âđ144
26.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.36âđ34.26
133.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.17âđ15.98
105.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$0.84âđ79.6
163.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$1.72âđ163
120.93%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.68âđ64.3
141.18%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.51âđ48.72
217.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$0.46âđ44.01
156.52%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$0.91âđ86.8
120.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$3.66âđ347
334.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$2.36âđ224
27.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.76âđ167
48.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$0.45âđ42.43
171.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$0.68âđ64.4
150.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.22âđ20.79
618.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.37âđ34.76
256.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.31âđ29.26
277.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.30âđ28.52
123.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.30âđ28.64
86.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$2.66âđ253
70.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$6.91âđ656
163.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.40âđ133
30.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$2.96âđ281
9.12%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.75âđ546
-
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.30âđ28.68
196.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.59âđ815
125.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$1.13âđ108
19.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$2.27âđ216
263.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.22âđ116
4.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$11.8Kâđ1.1M
79.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$14.1Kâđ1.3M
59.11%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$28.64âđ2,719
144.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$3.25âđ308
323.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$8.30âđ788
112.05%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$23.58âđ2,239
76.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$11.77âđ1,118
-43.93%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$3.39âđ322
70.50%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$86.4âđ8,207
254.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$2,020âđ191.8K
633.96%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$27.32âđ2,593
99.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$17.14âđ1,627
52.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$23.54âđ2,235
259.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$17.61âđ1,672
294.26%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$126âđ11.9K
237.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$77.5âđ7,357
207.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$272âđ25.8K
203.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$177âđ16.8K
190.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$891âđ84.6K
130.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$590âđ56.0K
158.20%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Srikakulam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$214âđ20.4K
196.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8.33
-39.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Srikakulam: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $126 in Srikakulam. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 196% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $9.00 in Srikakulam. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $89.0 â making Srikakulam the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Srikakulam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Srikakulam?
Chiang Mai costs about 144% more than Srikakulam, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Srikakulam?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $523 in Srikakulam. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Srikakulam?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Srikakulam, 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 Srikakulam?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $86.4 in Srikakulam. 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 Srikakulam?
Groceries cost about 174% 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 $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or Srikakulam?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $349 in Srikakulam, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Srikakulam?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Srikakulam costs $349 versus $852 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 Srikakulam?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Srikakulam?
If budget matters most, go with Srikakulam. 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