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 $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,225 in Temuco, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,769 in Temuco, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,313 in Temuco, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 30% cheaper than Temuco, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Temuco are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Temuco 8% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿65.7

$6.85 CLP 6,377

-71.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.35 ฿616

$32.71 CLP 30.5K

-43.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 ฿251

$7.47 CLP 6,955

0.13%

Cappuccino

$2.02 ฿67.7

$4.03 CLP 3,752

-49.88%

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

$0.85 ฿28.45

$2.19 CLP 2,044

-61.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.94

$1.28 CLP 1,190

-71.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.7

$3.80 CLP 3,541

-43.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 ฿121

$3.48 CLP 3,239

3.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿55.4

$1.23 CLP 1,147

34.15%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.6

$1.47 CLP 1,365

6.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿39.95

$1.34 CLP 1,249

-11.19%

Eggs

$1.94 ฿65.0

$3.58 CLP 3,335

-45.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿544

$9.60 CLP 8,943

68.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.99 ฿100

$6.34 CLP 5,901

-52.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.94 ฿367

$12.38 CLP 11.5K

-11.63%

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 ฿91.0

$1.92 CLP 1,786

41.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.18

$2.03 CLP 1,893

-42.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 ฿56.6

$2.18 CLP 2,027

-22.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 ฿53.9

$2.23 CLP 2,078

-28.25%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿46.45

$2.50 CLP 2,325

-44.80%

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.38

$2.58 CLP 2,404

-53.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿22.46

$1.86 CLP 1,733

-63.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.70

$1.24 CLP 1,154

-54.84%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.64 ฿156

$4.89 CLP 4,558

-5.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.62 ฿591

$5.12 CLP 4,772

244.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 ฿62.4

$1.56 CLP 1,453

19.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 ฿111

$2.18 CLP 2,028

51.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.63

$0.92 CLP 855

-4.35%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.34 ฿649

$35.53 CLP 33.1K

-45.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿45.82

$0.84 CLP 778

61.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.90

$1.54 CLP 1,437

-12.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.21 ฿276

$9.81 CLP 9,135

-16.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ฿41.11

$1.47 CLP 1,368

-17.01%

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

$21.4K ฿716.8K

$12.9K CLP 12.0M

65.03%

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

$22.5K ฿756.3K

$18.4K CLP 17.1M

22.60%

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

$70.7 ฿2,372

$218 CLP 202.9K

-67.57%

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

$14.04 ฿471

$11.89 CLP 11.1K

18.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.49 ฿587

$15.05 CLP 14.0K

16.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.15 ฿1,415

$51.0 CLP 47.5K

-17.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿231

$48.38 CLP 45.1K

-85.78%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿199

$4.91 CLP 4,570

20.57%

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

$309 ฿10.4K

$231 CLP 215.0K

33.66%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K ฿499.5K

$2,962 CLP 2.8M

402.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,872

$47.28 CLP 44.0K

17.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.11 ฿877

$18.02 CLP 16.8K

44.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.0 ฿2,787

$67.2 CLP 62.5K

23.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.5 ฿2,365

$87.4 CLP 81.4K

-19.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 ฿14.5K

$420 CLP 391.3K

2.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿8,020

$346 CLP 321.9K

-30.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$822 ฿27.6K

$726 CLP 676.3K

13.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$512 ฿17.2K

$537 CLP 500.3K

-4.70%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,915 ฿64.3K

$2,125 CLP 2.0M

-9.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,467 ฿49.3K

$1,737 CLP 1.6M

-15.55%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$579 ฿19.4K

$552 CLP 514.4K

4.88%

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Temuco: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $420 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 5% 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $33.00 in Temuco. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $243 – 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 42% 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 $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,838 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 $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $231 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 $861, than in Temuco at $1,225. 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 $861 versus $1,225 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.