Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Ulu Tiram Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Ulu Tiram

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $840 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,267 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,694 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 3% more than Ulu Tiram, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Ulu Tiram are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Ulu Tiram 38% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$3.53 MYR 14.30

-43.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$18.65 MYR 75.6

0.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$4.85 MYR 19.66

59.79%

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.78 MYR 11.27

-30.94%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.72 MYR 2.92

9.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.39 MYR 1.59

-7.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

$4.31 MYR 17.47

-48.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

$6.76 MYR 27.43

-45.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$1.86 MYR 7.55

-11.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.92 MYR 3.74

77.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.29 MYR 5.22

-7.75%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.90 MYR 7.72

5.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$10.82 MYR 43.86

47.69%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$3.96 MYR 16.06

-23.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$8.12 MYR 32.93

33.74%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$2.76 MYR 11.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$1.51 MYR 6.14

-21.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$2.55 MYR 10.35

-35.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$1.26 MYR 5.12

20.63%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$1.17 MYR 4.75

17.95%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$1.32 MYR 5.37

-9.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.93 MYR 3.79

-24.73%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.62 MYR 2.53

-9.68%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$4.11 MYR 16.66

11.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

$17.21 MYR 69.8

-3.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

$2.76 MYR 11.17

-33.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

$3.00 MYR 12.18

6.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.68 MYR 2.78

29.41%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$11.98 MYR 48.58

56.26%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$1.02 MYR 4.14

33.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.98 MYR 3.99

36.73%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$9.35 MYR 37.90

-16.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.50 MYR 2.02

146.00%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$35.3K MYR 143.1K

-38.72%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$33.1K MYR 134.4K

-31.96%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$45.96 MYR 186

53.48%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$9.33 MYR 37.82

46.62%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$30.60 MYR 124

-42.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$37.60 MYR 152

9.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$5.72 MYR 23.19

21.68%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$5.01 MYR 20.32

15.17%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$188 MYR 763

63.18%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$6,893 MYR 27.9K

111.97%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$64.0 MYR 259

-12.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$19.00 MYR 77.0

37.95%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$70.0 MYR 284

22.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$47.07 MYR 191

53.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$387 MYR 1,571

10.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$267 MYR 1,083

-10.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$637 MYR 2,581

28.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$472 MYR 1,914

8.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$1,979 MYR 8,025

0.21%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$971 MYR 3,938

52.81%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

$863 MYR 3,500

-28.31%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

22.85%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ulu Tiram: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $387 in Ulu Tiram. 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 39% higher in Ulu Tiram, 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 $19.00 in Ulu Tiram. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $228 in Ulu Tiram – so Ulu Tiram 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 Ulu Tiram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 3% more than Ulu Tiram, 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 $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,260 in Ulu Tiram. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $188 in Ulu Tiram. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% 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.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $840 in Ulu Tiram, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ulu Tiram costs $840 versus $869 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 Ulu Tiram. 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.