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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $184 in Toliara, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $273 in Toliara, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $363 in Toliara, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 407% more than Toliara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Toliara are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Toliara 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.2

$1.90 MGA 8,282

9.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿652

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.0

$0.84 MGA 3,658

115.48%

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

$0.77 ฿25.55

$0.66 MGA 2,873

16.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.48

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.1

$1.48 MGA 6,452

38.51%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.51

$0.39 MGA 1,702

258.97%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.1

$2.19 MGA 9,536

3.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿538

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.3

$4.89 MGA 21.4K

-40.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿313

$5.18 MGA 22.6K

81.85%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.1

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.23

$0.71 MGA 3,105

53.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.55

$1.81 MGA 7,880

-19.34%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.48

$0.53 MGA 2,328

141.51%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.85

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.49

$0.72 MGA 3,135

-26.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$1.82 MGA 7,955

132.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿608

$5.94 MGA 25.9K

207.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.2

$0.72 MGA 3,133

126.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.20

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,788

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿38.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.22

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

$21.0K ฿698.6K

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

$26.4K ฿878.6K

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

$63.7 ฿2,116

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

$12.89 ฿429

$17.16 MGA 74.9K

-24.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿682

$34.95 MGA 152.5K

-41.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,297

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

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

$784 ฿26.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿487.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,833

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿823

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,459

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,582

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

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: September 13, 2026

Last update for Toliara: September 13, 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 Toliara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 407% more than Toliara, 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $276 in Toliara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $932 in Chiang Mai and $184 in Toliara. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 131% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Toliara, where all-in costs run around $184, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Toliara 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. Toliara costs $184 versus $932 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 Toliara. 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.