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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $660 in Tetouan, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $983 in Tetouan, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,306 in Tetouan, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 30% more than Tetouan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Tetouan are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Tetouan 51% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ฿65.9
$3.24 MAD 30.17
-39.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35 ฿617
$19.15 MAD 179
-4.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 ฿252
$7.14 MAD 66.6
4.76%
Cappuccino
$2.02 ฿67.8
$1.64 MAD 15.33
23.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿28.52
$0.66 MAD 6.18
28.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿11.97
$0.35 MAD 3.30
2.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.9
$2.72 MAD 25.33
-21.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ฿121
$3.26 MAD 30.36
10.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 ฿55.5
$0.88 MAD 8.21
87.50%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.7
$0.27 MAD 2.54
481.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 ฿40.05
$1.61 MAD 14.99
-26.09%
Eggs
$1.94 ฿65.1
$1.81 MAD 16.85
7.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿545
$4.47 MAD 41.66
262.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.99 ฿101
$5.37 MAD 50.1
-44.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.94 ฿368
$10.50 MAD 97.9
4.19%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 ฿91.2
$1.29 MAD 11.98
110.08%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.27
$1.37 MAD 12.78
-14.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.8
$0.77 MAD 7.18
119.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 ฿54.0
$0.79 MAD 7.37
102.53%
Potato (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.56
$0.64 MAD 5.96
115.62%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.47
$0.72 MAD 6.75
66.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 ฿22.51
$0.46 MAD 4.30
45.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿18.74
$0.64 MAD 5.97
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64 ฿156
$4.03 MAD 37.54
15.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.62 ฿593
$8.61 MAD 80.3
104.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿62.6
$1.82 MAD 16.94
2.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ฿111
$2.08 MAD 19.37
58.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.70
$0.47 MAD 4.39
87.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.34 ฿651
$13.34 MAD 124
44.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 ฿45.92
$0.57 MAD 5.36
138.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿45.00
$1.02 MAD 9.48
31.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.21 ฿276
$3.55 MAD 33.09
131.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ฿41.20
$1.55 MAD 14.42
-21.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿718.5K
$36.7K MAD 341.8K
-41.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K ฿758.1K
$24.0K MAD 224.0K
-6.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.7 ฿2,378
$42.68 MAD 398
65.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04 ฿472
$10.03 MAD 93.5
39.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49 ฿589
$39.41 MAD 367
-55.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.15 ฿1,418
$13.93 MAD 130
202.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿231
$12.53 MAD 117
-45.09%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92 ฿199
$4.00 MAD 37.30
48.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$44.72 MAD 417
589.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K ฿500.7K
$5,154 MAD 48.1K
188.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,876
$18.54 MAD 173
200.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11 ฿879
$46.91 MAD 437
-44.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.0 ฿2,793
$58.1 MAD 542
42.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5 ฿2,371
$70.8 MAD 660
-0.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$432 ฿14.5K
$218 MAD 2,035
98.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$239 ฿8,040
$186 MAD 1,737
28.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 ฿27.7K
$470 MAD 4,379
75.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$512 ฿17.2K
$275 MAD 2,569
85.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,915 ฿64.4K
$1,106 MAD 10.3K
73.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,467 ฿49.4K
$783 MAD 7,304
87.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Tetouan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$579 ฿19.5K
$425 MAD 3,963
36.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
4.35
14.94%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Tetouan: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $218 in Tetouan. 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 36% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $19.00 in Tetouan. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $162 in Tetouan – so Tetouan 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 Tetouan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Tetouan?
Chiang Mai costs about 30% more than Tetouan, 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 and in Tetouan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $990 in Tetouan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Tetouan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tetouan, 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 in Tetouan?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $44.72 in Tetouan. 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 in Tetouan?
Groceries cost about 50% 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 $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Tetouan?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $660 in Tetouan, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Tetouan?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tetouan costs $660 versus $861 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 Tetouan?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Tetouan?
If budget matters most, go with Tetouan. 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.

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