😐A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $784 in Yalova, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,220 in Yalova, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,655 in Yalova, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 19% more than Yalova, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Yalova are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai32% lower, Yalova43% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08฿69.3
$4.67₺228
-55.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61฿653
$41.34₺2,016
-52.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.67฿189
$8.07₺394
-29.74%
Cappuccino
$1.81฿60.1
$3.63₺177
-50.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77฿25.58
$1.32₺64.4
-41.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.49
$0.37₺18.16
-5.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿73.7
$3.25₺158
-32.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79฿126
$5.29₺258
-28.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.05฿68.2
$0.96₺46.93
113.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51฿50.4
$1.00₺48.58
51.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40฿46.57
$2.12₺103
-33.96%
Eggs
$2.26฿75.2
$1.57₺76.5
43.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.19฿539
$7.85₺383
106.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.90฿96.4
$3.85₺188
-24.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.42฿314
$19.61₺956
-51.96%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68฿89.2
$1.99₺97.1
34.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09฿36.28
$1.81₺88.3
-39.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿53.8
$0.90₺43.96
80.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46฿48.61
$1.34₺65.4
8.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28฿42.54
$0.47₺22.76
172.34%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06฿35.21
$0.31₺15.22
241.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72฿23.88
$0.93₺45.27
-22.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.51
$0.30₺14.62
76.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23฿141
$2.32₺113
82.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.29฿609
$12.45₺607
46.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63฿54.3
$1.88₺91.6
-13.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90฿96.6
$2.40₺117
20.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿29.24
$0.92₺44.66
-4.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$53.8฿1,790
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17฿39.04
$1.14₺55.6
2.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58฿19.25
$1.11₺54.1
-47.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39฿79.4
$4.23₺206
-43.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.45฿48.28
$1.22₺59.7
18.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K฿699.5K
$43.7K₺2.1M
-51.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K฿879.7K
$41.3K₺2.0M
-35.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.7฿2,119
$44.98₺2,193
41.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89฿429
$8.56₺418
50.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52฿683
$7.58₺370
170.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.02฿1,299
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92฿130
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.58฿219
$6.27₺306
4.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$784฿26.1K
$920₺44.8K
-14.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K฿488.4K
$14.8K₺720.5K
-0.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1฿1,835
$47.75₺2,328
15.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74฿824
$42.55₺2,075
-41.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.1฿3,133
$85.9₺4,191
9.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0฿2,462
$76.1₺3,711
-2.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490฿16.3K
$361₺17.6K
35.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288฿9,594
$225₺11.0K
28.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891฿29.7K
$526₺25.6K
69.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521฿17.3K
$339₺16.5K
53.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,974฿65.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,444฿48.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Yalova
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602฿20.0K
$1,234₺60.2K
-51.26%
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: September 13, 2026
Last update for Yalova: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $361 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 run about 105% higher in Yalova, 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $41.00 in Yalova. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $216 in Yalova – so Yalova 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 Yalova: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Yalova?
Chiang Mai costs about 19% more than Yalova, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,177 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Yalova?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai and $41.00 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 12% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Yalova?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Yalova, where all-in costs run around $784, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Yalova it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Yalova?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Yalova costs $784 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Yalova?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Yalova?
If budget matters most, go with Yalova. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared