Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Yalova

For one person, living is cheaper in Yalova: $755 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $2,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Yalova, Turkey
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Yalova
🇹🇷 Turkey
$755
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Yalova

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Yalova actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $755 in Yalova, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Yalova $755

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,201 in Yalova, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Yalova $1,201

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,647 in Yalova, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Yalova $1,647

Chiang Mai costs about 24% more than Yalova, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Chiang Mai and Yalova are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Yalova 44% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.6
$4.54 ₺228
-53.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿624
$41.83 ₺2,098
-55.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿188
$7.89 ₺396
-29.02%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.8
$3.70 ₺186
-55.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.69
$1.40 ₺70.0
-53.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.22
$0.38 ₺19.17
-21.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿77.9
$2.96 ₺149
-21.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$5.09 ₺255
-27.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿67.6
$0.98 ₺49.39
106.12%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.21
$0.94 ₺46.98
50.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.67
$2.18 ₺109
-36.24%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.4
$1.52 ₺76.2
55.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿554
$7.84 ₺393
110.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿89.5
$3.65 ₺183
-26.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿302
$18.96 ₺951
-52.43%
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.4
$1.86 ₺93.3
29.03%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿34.91
$1.72 ₺86.4
-39.53%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿55.6
$0.92 ₺46.30
80.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.3
$1.30 ₺65.3
20.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.50
$0.45 ₺22.46
175.56%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.44
$0.28 ₺14.03
289.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.54
$0.90 ₺45.35
-15.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.24
$0.29 ₺14.31
75.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿138
$2.14 ₺107
92.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿601
$11.97 ₺601
49.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.4
$1.84 ₺92.4
-11.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿94.6
$2.43 ₺122
16.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.33
$0.86 ₺43.32
8.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,773
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.45
$1.08 ₺54.3
9.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.75
$1.11 ₺55.8
-84.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿60.8
$4.18 ₺210
-56.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.38
$1.31 ₺65.8
12.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿704.5K
$40.3K ₺2.0M
-47.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿889.1K
$39.3K ₺2.0M
-32.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,098
$43.98 ₺2,206
42.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿389
$8.50 ₺426
36.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿681
$7.50 ₺376
170.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,270
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿124
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿218
$5.86 ₺294
11.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.4K
$910 ₺45.6K
-20.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿555.7K
$14.3K ₺715.3K
16.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,795
$46.68 ₺2,341
14.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿832
$41.19 ₺2,066
-39.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,031
$81.4 ₺4,085
10.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,413
$73.0 ₺3,663
-1.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.1K
$354 ₺17.8K
35.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.4K
$218 ₺10.9K
42.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.5K
$516 ₺25.9K
105.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.1K
$337 ₺16.9K
95.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿81.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿53.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿19.9K
$1,196 ₺60.0K
-50.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
39.8
-86.01%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Yalova: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Yalova
$218 29.7% $92
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Yalova
$209 11.5% $27
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Yalova
$109 0.7% $0.7
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Yalova
$60 36.5% $34
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Yalova
$137 78.3% $60
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Yalova
$10 * 82.8% $49
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Yalova
$12 * 77% $39

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $354 in Yalova. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Yalova are about 2 times higher, 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 in Chiang Mai versus $42 in Yalova. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Chiang Mai vs $209 in Yalova – so Yalova wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇹🇷 Yalova
🕒 Local time
00:34 12:34 AM
20:34 8:34 PM
4 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
241,665
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

TRY, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 33.53 THB (100 THB = 2.98 USD). 1 EUR = 37.66 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Turkish Lira exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 50.15 TRY (100 TRY = 1.99 USD). 1 EUR = 56.33 TRY (100 TRY = 1.78 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Yalova 6,970 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Yalova

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Yalova: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Yalova?
Chiang Mai costs about 24% more than Yalova, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai and in Yalova?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,132 in Yalova. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Yalova?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Yalova, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $354 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Yalova?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai and $42 in Yalova. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Yalova?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Yalova?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $755 in Yalova to $935 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Yalova?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

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