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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $217 in Sumba, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $290 in Sumba, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $364 in Sumba, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 336% more than Sumba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Sumba are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Sumba 84% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.4

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

$0.71 ฿23.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$2.31 FOK 14.87

-15.15%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.93

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿535

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.73

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.97

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.77

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.68

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

$10.84 FOK 69.9

-61.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$12.17 FOK 78.5

46.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

$2.40 FOK 15.49

-29.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.3

$1.84 FOK 11.87

54.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.43

$4.64 FOK 29.91

-79.96%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,771

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.43

$2.07 FOK 13.34

-31.88%

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

$21.4K ฿705.1K

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

$27.3K ฿898.7K

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

$63.7 ฿2,093

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

$12.85 ฿423

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

$61.3 FOK 396

-67.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$38.73 FOK 250

0.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿222

$15.64 FOK 101

-56.91%

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

$778 ฿25.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿837

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,415

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,512

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

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: August 31, 2026

Last update for Sumba: August 29, 2026

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 Sumba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 336% more than Sumba, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $326 in Sumba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $947 in Chiang Mai and $217 in Sumba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 281% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sumba, where all-in costs run around $217, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Sumba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sumba costs $217 versus $947 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 Sumba. 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.