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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $419 in Villarrica, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $637 in Villarrica, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $854 in Villarrica, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 126% more than Villarrica, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chiang Mai and Villarrica are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Villarrica 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿68.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿646

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿186

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.3

$2.52 CLP 2,349

-28.17%

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

$0.71 ฿23.44

$1.65 CLP 1,541

-56.97%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.38

$1.09 CLP 1,013

-70.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿73.5

$2.74 CLP 2,560

-18.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿119

$4.80 CLP 4,482

-24.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿64.4

$1.29 CLP 1,205

51.94%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.38

$2.62 CLP 2,450

-42.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿43.92

$2.53 CLP 2,364

-47.04%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿74.4

$3.25 CLP 3,036

-30.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿534

$8.40 CLP 7,846

93.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿97.1

$11.32 CLP 10.6K

-73.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿327

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿84.5

$2.61 CLP 2,433

-1.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿34.72

$1.92 CLP 1,790

-44.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.0

$2.78 CLP 2,594

-42.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.96

$1.48 CLP 1,382

2.70%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿41.76

$1.48 CLP 1,381

-14.19%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.05

$1.29 CLP 1,206

-17.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.67

$1.63 CLP 1,521

-55.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.72

$2.00 CLP 1,865

-74.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿138

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿587

$5.68 CLP 5,304

214.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿55.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿93.2

$3.72 CLP 3,478

-23.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.42

$1.89 CLP 1,760

-50.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,770

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.58

$2.20 CLP 2,056

-44.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿18.96

$2.17 CLP 2,028

-73.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿79.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.42

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

$21.4K ฿704.9K

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

$27.3K ฿898.5K

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

$63.7 ฿2,093

$64.1 CLP 59.8K

-0.67%

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

$12.85 ฿423

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿665

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,274

$32.17 CLP 30.0K

20.42%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿221

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

$778 ฿25.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿480.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,785

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿836

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,414

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,510

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿48.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿19.8K

$544 CLP 508.0K

10.67%

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: August 31, 2026

Last update for Villarrica: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 11% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Villarrica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 126% more than Villarrica, 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 $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $629 in Villarrica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $947 in Chiang Mai and $419 in Villarrica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Villarrica, where all-in costs run around $419, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Villarrica 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. Villarrica costs $419 versus $947 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 Villarrica. 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.