😐A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $318 in Yamunanagar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $508 in Yamunanagar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $697 in Yamunanagar, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 193% more than Yamunanagar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Yamunanagar are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai32% lower, Yamunanagar77% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08฿69.5
$1.35₹129
54.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61฿655
$10.34₹992
89.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.67฿189
$2.30₹221
146.52%
Cappuccino
$1.81฿60.3
$1.07₹103
69.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77฿25.65
$0.40₹38.73
92.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.53
$0.15₹14.62
133.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿73.9
$1.78₹171
24.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79฿127
$2.39₹229
58.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.05฿68.4
$0.69₹66.0
197.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51฿50.6
$0.42₹40.34
259.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40฿46.69
$0.71₹68.3
97.18%
Eggs
$2.26฿75.4
$0.93₹89.1
143.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.19฿540
$4.14₹397
291.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.90฿96.7
$2.67₹256
8.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.42฿314
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.68฿89.4
$1.87₹179
43.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09฿36.37
$0.67₹64.1
62.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿54.0
$0.89₹85.8
82.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46฿48.74
$0.36₹34.48
305.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28฿42.65
$0.27₹25.98
374.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06฿35.31
$0.28₹26.56
278.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72฿23.94
$0.63₹60.7
14.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.56
$0.32₹31.16
65.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23฿141
$2.40₹230
76.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.29฿611
$4.93₹473
270.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63฿54.4
$1.61₹154
1.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90฿96.8
$2.32₹222
25.00%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$3.55₹341
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿29.32
$0.27₹26.07
225.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$53.8฿1,795
$7.24₹695
642.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17฿39.14
$0.27₹26.02
333.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58฿19.30
$0.14₹13.63
314.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39฿79.6
$2.06₹198
16.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.45฿48.41
$0.96₹91.8
51.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K฿701.4K
$8,505₹816.0K
147.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K฿882.0K
$16.5K₹1.6M
59.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.7฿2,125
$30.76₹2,951
106.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89฿430
$4.17₹400
209.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52฿685
$6.07₹582
238.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.02฿1,302
$14.22₹1,364
174.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92฿131
$6.21₹596
-36.88%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58฿220
$2.56₹245
157.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$784฿26.2K
$52.5₹5,033
1394.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K฿489.8K
$1,726₹165.6K
750.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1฿1,840
$21.68₹2,080
154.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74฿826
$20.92₹2,007
18.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.1฿3,142
$30.73₹2,948
206.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0฿2,469
$10.53₹1,010
602.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490฿16.4K
$120₹11.5K
309.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288฿9,620
$73.5₹7,055
291.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891฿29.8K
$267₹25.6K
233.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521฿17.4K
$173₹16.6K
201.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,974฿65.9K
$1,034₹99.2K
90.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,444฿48.2K
$500₹48.0K
188.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Yamunanagar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602฿20.1K
$194₹18.6K
209.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
9
-38.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026
Last update for Yamunanagar: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $120 in Yamunanagar. 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 210% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $10.00 in Yamunanagar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $92.0 – making Yamunanagar 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 Yamunanagar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Yamunanagar?
Chiang Mai costs about 193% more than Yamunanagar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Yamunanagar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $478 in Yamunanagar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Yamunanagar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Yamunanagar, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Yamunanagar?
Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $52.5 in Yamunanagar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Yamunanagar?
Groceries cost about 161% 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 $1,500/month in Chiang Mai or in Yamunanagar?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Yamunanagar, where all-in costs run around $318, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Yamunanagar 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 Yamunanagar?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Yamunanagar costs $318 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 Yamunanagar?
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 Yamunanagar?
If budget matters most, go with Yamunanagar. 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