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 $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,142 in Temuco, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,715 in Temuco, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,289 in Temuco, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 17% cheaper than Temuco, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Temuco are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Temuco 17% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.2

$7.59 CLP 7,111

-72.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿651

$32.35 CLP 30.3K

-39.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿188

$7.43 CLP 6,966

-23.96%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.9

$4.05 CLP 3,794

-55.31%

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

$0.71 ฿23.66

$2.28 CLP 2,138

-68.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.48

$1.16 CLP 1,090

-72.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿74.2

$3.69 CLP 3,458

-39.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿121

$3.39 CLP 3,181

7.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿65.0

$1.18 CLP 1,103

66.10%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.83

$1.48 CLP 1,387

1.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿44.32

$1.35 CLP 1,264

-0.74%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.1

$3.50 CLP 3,277

-35.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿539

$9.50 CLP 8,909

71.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿98.0

$5.99 CLP 5,614

-50.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿330

$12.21 CLP 11.4K

-18.59%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿85.3

$1.88 CLP 1,766

36.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.04

$2.12 CLP 1,983

-50.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.5

$2.09 CLP 1,963

-22.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿50.4

$2.28 CLP 2,139

-33.33%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿42.14

$2.38 CLP 2,226

-46.64%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.37

$2.67 CLP 2,506

-59.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.89

$1.93 CLP 1,805

-62.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.87

$1.23 CLP 1,154

-58.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿139

$4.69 CLP 4,398

-10.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿593

$4.93 CLP 4,621

262.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿56.2

$1.55 CLP 1,457

9.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿94.1

$2.23 CLP 2,091

27.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.70

$0.90 CLP 839

3.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,787

$35.42 CLP 33.2K

52.06%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.95

$0.83 CLP 779

48.19%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.13

$1.57 CLP 1,468

-63.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿80.4

$9.66 CLP 9,052

-74.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.84

$1.45 CLP 1,360

-2.76%

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

$21.4K ฿711.3K

$12.9K CLP 12.1M

66.47%

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

$27.3K ฿906.7K

$18.5K CLP 17.3M

47.81%

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

$63.7 ฿2,112

$141 CLP 132.0K

-54.77%

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

$12.85 ฿426

$11.98 CLP 11.2K

7.26%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿671

$24.55 CLP 23.0K

-17.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,285

$49.15 CLP 46.1K

-21.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿132

$47.84 CLP 44.8K

-91.70%

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿223

$4.92 CLP 4,612

36.99%

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

$778 ฿25.8K

$228 CLP 213.4K

241.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿484.6K

$2,878 CLP 2.7M

407.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,801

$45.95 CLP 43.1K

18.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿844

$18.37 CLP 17.2K

38.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,129

$68.3 CLP 64.1K

38.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,436

$88.4 CLP 82.8K

-16.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.2K

$418 CLP 391.4K

17.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,596

$341 CLP 320.1K

-15.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.6K

$742 CLP 695.8K

20.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.1K

$525 CLP 492.4K

-1.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.9K

$2,090 CLP 2.0M

-6.46%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿49.0K

$1,758 CLP 1.6M

-16.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

$550 CLP 515.3K

9.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.8

16.04%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Last update for Temuco: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $418 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 10% 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $32.00 in Temuco. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $240 vs $240 – making Chiang Mai 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 Temuco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Temuco costs about 21% 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 $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,713 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 $778 per month in Chiang Mai and $228 in Temuco. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% 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 $947, than in Temuco at $1,142. 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 $947 versus $1,142 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.