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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,203 in Temuco, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,751 in Temuco, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,298 in Temuco, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 28% cheaper than Temuco, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Temuco are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Temuco 10% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$6.83 CLP 6,060

-71.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$32.16 CLP 28.5K

-42.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

$7.35 CLP 6,525

6.39%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$3.89 CLP 3,449

-49.87%

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$2.20 CLP 1,950

-61.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$1.28 CLP 1,135

-72.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

$3.74 CLP 3,324

-43.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

$3.52 CLP 3,120

5.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.22 CLP 1,079

40.16%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$1.46 CLP 1,298

11.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$1.37 CLP 1,216

-16.79%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$3.56 CLP 3,159

-45.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$9.69 CLP 8,598

67.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$6.05 CLP 5,369

-48.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$12.26 CLP 10.9K

-11.09%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$1.90 CLP 1,684

44.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$2.02 CLP 1,795

-40.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$2.13 CLP 1,892

-23.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$2.27 CLP 2,019

-29.96%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$2.37 CLP 2,103

-40.93%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$2.72 CLP 2,415

-56.99%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$1.94 CLP 1,720

-65.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$1.19 CLP 1,053

-55.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$4.98 CLP 4,420

-5.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

$5.43 CLP 4,821

243.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$1.56 CLP 1,384

15.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$2.24 CLP 1,985

44.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.85 CLP 754

5.88%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$35.18 CLP 31.2K

-45.40%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$0.89 CLP 790

58.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$1.61 CLP 1,429

-19.88%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$9.44 CLP 8,376

-16.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.44 CLP 1,280

-11.81%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

$12.9K CLP 11.4M

65.40%

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

$18.4K CLP 16.4M

20.53%

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$219 CLP 193.9K

-68.39%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$11.67 CLP 10.4K

20.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$15.38 CLP 13.7K

17.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$50.6 CLP 44.9K

-18.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$49.29 CLP 43.7K

-85.88%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$4.92 CLP 4,367

20.33%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$227 CLP 201.7K

31.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$2,904 CLP 2.6M

414.96%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$47.07 CLP 41.8K

16.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$18.59 CLP 16.5K

44.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$67.1 CLP 59.6K

26.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$89.4 CLP 79.3K

-21.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$416 CLP 369.5K

2.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$341 CLP 302.7K

-30.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$737 CLP 653.9K

8.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$526 CLP 467.2K

-2.07%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$2,138 CLP 1.9M

-7.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$1,856 CLP 1.6M

-20.52%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$581 CLP 515.4K

6.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.8

4.17%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Temuco: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $416 in Temuco. 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 6% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $32.00 in Temuco. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Chiang Mai vs $242 in Temuco – so Temuco wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Temuco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Temuco costs about 39% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,805 in Temuco. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $227 in Temuco. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Temuco – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Temuco at $1,203. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Temuco it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,203 in Temuco. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Temuco makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.