ðA single person spends $1,788 per month in Chieti vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,711 per month in Chieti vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,635 per month in Chieti vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðChieti costs about 110% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChieti sits 34% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.53âŽ20.14
$1.96āļŋ64.0
1100.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.4âŽ68.8
$18.81āļŋ615
327.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.44âŽ8.93
$7.92āļŋ259
31.82%
Cappuccino
$1.54âŽ1.32
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-19.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95âŽ2.52
$0.84āļŋ27.41
251.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17âŽ1.00
$0.35āļŋ11.51
234.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.14âŽ4.40
$2.21āļŋ72.1
132.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.10âŽ4.37
$3.80āļŋ124
34.21%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.58âŽ1.35
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-3.66%
White Bread(500g)
$2.26âŽ1.94
$1.62āļŋ53.1
39.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.78âŽ2.38
$1.18āļŋ38.62
135.59%
Eggs
$4.07âŽ3.49
$2.01āļŋ65.8
102.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.71âŽ13.45
$15.89āļŋ520
-1.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.28âŽ10.52
$3.01āļŋ98.5
307.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.00âŽ16.26
$10.77āļŋ352
76.42%
Apples(1kg)
$1.70âŽ1.46
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-34.87%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09âŽ1.79
$1.22āļŋ39.88
71.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.55âŽ2.18
$1.70āļŋ55.7
50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.11âŽ2.66
$1.58āļŋ51.5
96.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78âŽ1.52
$1.32āļŋ43.14
34.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77âŽ1.51
$1.17āļŋ38.23
51.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45âŽ1.24
$0.67āļŋ21.98
116.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88âŽ0.76
$0.56āļŋ18.32
57.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.02âŽ6.01
$4.53āļŋ148
54.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.50âŽ6.42
$18.20āļŋ595
-58.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44âŽ1.23
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-21.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99âŽ1.70
$3.23āļŋ106
-38.39%
ð Getting Around
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.78âŽ1.52
$0.89āļŋ29.00
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.90âŽ36.72
$19.38āļŋ634
121.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.91âŽ5.06
$1.35āļŋ44.20
337.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54âŽ1.32
$1.35āļŋ44.05
14.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.17âŽ29.25
$8.25āļŋ270
314.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.21âŽ1.89
$1.27āļŋ41.64
74.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.5KâŽ27.8K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
53.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7KâŽ28.0K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
45.26%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$238âŽ204
$70.2āļŋ2,294
239.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37âŽ11.44
$13.77āļŋ450
-2.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.94âŽ31.62
$17.60āļŋ575
109.89%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.8âŽ46.87
$41.57āļŋ1,360
31.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.06âŽ19.74
$6.60āļŋ216
249.39%
Cinema Ticket
$10.28âŽ8.80
$5.78āļŋ189
77.85%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$561âŽ481
$306āļŋ10.0K
83.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,988âŽ6,838
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-46.12%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.6âŽ75.0
$54.4āļŋ1,778
61.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.44âŽ32.05
$26.14āļŋ855
43.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6âŽ80.1
$84.5āļŋ2,764
10.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129âŽ111
$69.4āļŋ2,270
86.19%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$766âŽ656
$424āļŋ13.9K
80.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$588âŽ504
$238āļŋ7,788
146.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,220âŽ1,044
$825āļŋ27.0K
47.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$912âŽ781
$515āļŋ16.8K
77.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,029âŽ2,593
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
47.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,393âŽ2,049
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
57.16%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chieti
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,274âŽ1,091
$635āļŋ20.8K
100.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.45
5
-11.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chieti: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $766 in Chieti versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 101% higher in Chieti, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Chieti versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $330 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai 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
Chieti vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chieti or Chiang Mai?
Chieti costs about 110% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Chieti vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,682 per month in Chieti and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chieti or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, 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 Chieti and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $561 per month in Chieti and $306 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chieti or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 35% more in Chieti, 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 Chieti or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Chieti at $1,788. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chieti it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chieti or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,788 in Chieti. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chieti compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chieti or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chieti makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.