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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $923 per month in Chillan vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,372 per month in Chillan vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,821 per month in Chillan vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Chillan is about 3% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chillan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Chillan 33% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.48 CLP 5,133
$2.08 ฿69.2
163.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.08 CLP 46.0K
$19.64 ฿651
149.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.52 CLP 6,111
$5.65 ฿188
15.40%
Cappuccino
$3.66 CLP 3,428
$1.81 ฿59.9
102.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 CLP 1,039
$0.71 ฿23.66
56.34%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97 CLP 910
$0.32 ฿10.48
203.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.56 CLP 1,466
$2.24 ฿74.2
-30.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85 CLP 4,542
$3.63 ฿121
33.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 CLP 1,079
$1.96 ฿65.0
-41.33%
White Bread (500g)
$1.71 CLP 1,600
$1.50 ฿49.83
14.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.84 CLP 1,720
$1.34 ฿44.32
37.31%
Eggs
$3.77 CLP 3,538
$2.26 ฿75.1
66.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 CLP 6,967
$16.26 ฿539
-54.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.61 CLP 2,450
$2.95 ฿98.0
-11.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.79 CLP 8,241
$9.94 ฿330
-11.57%
Apples (1kg)
$1.57 CLP 1,468
$2.57 ฿85.3
-38.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.74 CLP 1,630
$1.06 ฿35.04
64.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.32 CLP 1,241
$1.61 ฿53.5
-18.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.04 CLP 970
$1.52 ฿50.4
-31.58%
Potato (1kg)
$1.56 CLP 1,464
$1.27 ฿42.14
22.83%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 CLP 1,228
$1.07 ฿35.37
22.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 CLP 1,003
$0.72 ฿23.89
48.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 CLP 1,229
$0.51 ฿16.87
156.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.72 CLP 4,422
$4.19 ฿139
12.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.51 CLP 3,294
$17.87 ฿593
-80.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 CLP 1,230
$1.69 ฿56.2
-22.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 CLP 2,055
$2.84 ฿94.1
-22.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.62 CLP 585
$0.93 ฿30.70
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$37.37 CLP 35.0K
$53.9 ฿1,787
-30.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.63 CLP 588
$1.23 ฿40.95
-48.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 CLP 1,101
$0.58 ฿19.13
101.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.73 CLP 11.9K
$2.42 ฿80.4
426.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.39 CLP 1,305
$1.41 ฿46.84
-1.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.7K CLP 11.9M
$21.4K ฿711.3K
-40.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.8K CLP 14.8M
$27.3K ฿906.7K
-42.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 CLP 123.9K
$63.7 ฿2,112
107.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.91 CLP 10.2K
$12.85 ฿426
-15.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 CLP 22.8K
$20.22 ฿671
20.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.37 CLP 15.3K
$38.74 ฿1,285
-57.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.94 CLP 15.9K
$3.97 ฿132
326.70%
Cinema Ticket
$11.70 CLP 11.0K
$6.74 ฿223
73.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$778 ฿25.8K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.6K ฿484.6K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.89 CLP 35.5K
$54.3 ฿1,801
-30.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.40 CLP 18.2K
$25.45 ฿844
-23.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$51.7 CLP 48.5K
$94.3 ฿3,129
-45.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.0 CLP 61.9K
$73.4 ฿2,436
-10.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$318 CLP 298.3K
$490 ฿16.2K
-35.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$256 CLP 240.1K
$289 ฿9,596
-11.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$459 CLP 429.8K
$894 ฿29.6K
-48.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$346 CLP 324.4K
$517 ฿17.1K
-33.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,542 CLP 2.4M
$1,955 ฿64.9K
30.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,536 CLP 2.4M
$1,477 ฿49.0K
71.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$706 CLP 662.2K
$602 ฿20.0K
17.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.57
-

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

Last update for Chillan: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $318 in Chillan versus $490 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.

Salaries run about 17% higher in Chillan, 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 $49.00 in Chillan versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $187 in Chillan vs $240 in Chiang Mai – so Chillan 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
Chillan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chillan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 3% more than Chillan, 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 Chillan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,384 per month in Chillan and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chillan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chillan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Chillan compared to Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 44% less in Chillan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Are groceries more expensive in Chillan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 29% 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 $2,000/month in Chillan or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Chillan, where all-in costs run around $923, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Chillan 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, Chillan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chillan costs $923 versus $947 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chillan 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chillan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chillan. 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.

Chillan vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities