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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $638 in Tulkarm, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $882 in Tulkarm, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,126 in Tulkarm, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 49% more than Tulkarm, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Tulkarm are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Tulkarm 54% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

$5.67 ₪17.18

-62.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$7.86 ₪23.83

-26.34%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

$2.32 ₪7.02

-21.12%

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

$0.78 ฿25.61

$0.69 ₪2.08

13.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

$1.70 ₪5.14

-68.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

$2.34 ₪7.09

-38.46%

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

$21.2K ฿700.2K

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

$27.3K ฿902.1K

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

$64.9 ฿2,145

$178 ₪539

-63.49%

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

$13.35 ฿441

$25.36 ₪76.8

-47.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

$39.84 ₪121

-47.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

$39.91 ₪121

1.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

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

$787 ฿26.0K

$101 ₪306

678.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

$32.14 ₪97.4

74.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

$40.65 ₪123

-38.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

$49.29 ₪149

88.09%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

$251 ₪760

92.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

$183 ₪556

56.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$606 ₪1,836

50.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$441 ₪1,336

20.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$836 ₪2,532

-27.57%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

4.5

23.78%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Tulkarm: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $484 in Chiang Mai versus $251 in Tulkarm. 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 38% higher in Tulkarm, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Tulkarm: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 49% more than Tulkarm, 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 $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $958 in Tulkarm. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $950 in Chiang Mai and $638 in Tulkarm. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $787 per month in Chiang Mai and $101 in Tulkarm. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Tulkarm, where all-in costs run around $638, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Tulkarm 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. Tulkarm costs $638 versus $950 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 Tulkarm. 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.