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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,161 in Ulaanbaatar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,804 in Ulaanbaatar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,446 in Ulaanbaatar, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 25% cheaper than Ulaanbaatar, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chiang Mai and Ulaanbaatar are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Ulaanbaatar 13% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

$5.62 MNT 20.1K

-65.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$29.99 MNT 107.2K

-37.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

$5.56 MNT 19.9K

40.65%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

$2.64 MNT 9,447

-26.14%

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

$0.85 ฿27.77

$0.75 MNT 2,693

13.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

$0.48 MNT 1,705

-27.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

$2.11 MNT 7,547

0.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

$2.31 MNT 8,244

61.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$1.49 MNT 5,317

14.77%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.98 MNT 3,489

66.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.15

$2.14 MNT 7,648

-46.73%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.1

$2.17 MNT 7,771

-11.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$16.06 MNT 57.4K

0.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$5.56 MNT 19.9K

-43.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$6.27 MNT 22.4K

73.84%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.0

$3.10 MNT 11.1K

-11.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.52

$2.65 MNT 9,461

-54.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$4.44 MNT 15.9K

-63.51%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.8

$2.68 MNT 9,566

-40.67%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.70

$0.75 MNT 2,698

86.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.17

$1.02 MNT 3,662

14.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.60

$1.27 MNT 4,534

-48.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.22

$0.73 MNT 2,624

-27.40%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$1.79 MNT 6,384

162.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿609

$9.67 MNT 34.6K

92.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

$1.39 MNT 4,970

29.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$1.71 MNT 6,132

88.89%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

$0.28 MNT 987

221.43%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$8.61 MNT 30.8K

123.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

$0.62 MNT 2,210

127.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

$0.61 MNT 2,189

111.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$4.76 MNT 17.0K

64.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

$1.03 MNT 3,694

23.30%

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

$21.3K ฿694.9K

$30.2K MNT 108.0M

-29.58%

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

$22.2K ฿725.4K

$18.6K MNT 66.4M

19.67%

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

$69.1 ฿2,256

$81.4 MNT 291.0K

-15.13%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$7.77 MNT 27.8K

81.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$16.99 MNT 60.7K

5.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

$60.5 MNT 216.1K

-32.08%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$13.47 MNT 48.2K

-48.33%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$3.76 MNT 13.5K

57.45%

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

$299 ฿9,766

$177 MNT 632.8K

68.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

$6,504 MNT 23.3M

129.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

$84.3 MNT 301.5K

-35.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

$69.5 MNT 248.6K

-61.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

$105 MNT 375.2K

-19.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

$161 MNT 577.2K

-56.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$512 MNT 1.8M

-16.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,752

$405 MNT 1.4M

-41.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$1,472 MNT 5.3M

-45.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$740 MNT 2.6M

-30.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$1,967 MNT 7.0M

0.36%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$953 MNT 3.4M

54.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$601 MNT 2.1M

2.73%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-16.67%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Ulaanbaatar: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $512 in Ulaanbaatar. 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 3% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $30.00 in Ulaanbaatar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $247 – 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 Ulaanbaatar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ulaanbaatar costs about 34% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,742 in Ulaanbaatar. 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 $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $177 in Ulaanbaatar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 0% more in Ulaanbaatar, 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 Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Ulaanbaatar at $1,161. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ulaanbaatar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,161 in Ulaanbaatar. 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, Ulaanbaatar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.