πA single person spends $1,023 per month in Chillan vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,525 per month in Chillan vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,026 per month in Chillan vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πChillan costs about 18% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Chillan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Chillan24% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.29CLPΒ 4,692
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
172.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.70CLPΒ 23.7K
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
43.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.07CLPΒ 5,390
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-22.38%
Cappuccino
$3.06CLPΒ 2,712
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
56.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95CLPΒ 842
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
11.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90CLPΒ 796
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
157.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.62CLPΒ 3,214
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
69.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.07CLPΒ 3,613
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
9.12%
π Groceries & Markets
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10CLPΒ 978
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-35.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76CLPΒ 1,558
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
7.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92CLPΒ 1,706
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
68.42%
Eggs
$3.81CLPΒ 3,385
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
97.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42CLPΒ 6,589
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-54.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.81CLPΒ 6,043
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
118.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.78CLPΒ 9,569
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-1.10%
Apples(1kg)
$1.86CLPΒ 1,655
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-32.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58CLPΒ 1,405
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
30.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54CLPΒ 1,364
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-4.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45CLPΒ 1,284
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-8.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30CLPΒ 1,151
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-7.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35CLPΒ 1,196
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
15.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,129
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
92.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21CLPΒ 1,076
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
128.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.50CLPΒ 4,879
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
17.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.70CLPΒ 3,287
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-80.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55CLPΒ 1,374
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-13.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33CLPΒ 2,064
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-27.86%
π Getting Around
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63CLPΒ 560
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-30.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51CLPΒ 454
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-63.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35CLPΒ 1,199
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
6.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.5KCLPΒ 11.1M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
-41.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.7KCLPΒ 13.9M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
-29.46%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133CLPΒ 117.6K
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
91.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.74CLPΒ 12.2K
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-2.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.57CLPΒ 21.8K
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
36.50%
π Sport & Entertainment
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.13CLPΒ 14.3K
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
-60.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.20CLPΒ 18.8K
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
204.60%
Cinema Ticket
$11.63CLPΒ 10.3K
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
96.45%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$433CLPΒ 384.2K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
44.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5CLPΒ 45.7K
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
-5.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.72CLPΒ 27.3K
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
14.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$50.6CLPΒ 44.9K
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
-40.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.0CLPΒ 58.6K
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
-6.46%
π Accommodation & Living
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$481CLPΒ 427.3K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
12.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$375CLPΒ 333.2K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
58.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$465CLPΒ 412.5K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-42.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$596CLPΒ 529.0K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
15.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,581CLPΒ 2.3M
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
74.97%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Chillan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$731CLPΒ 648.3K
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
18.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
5
3.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chillan: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chillan versus $428 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.
π°Salaries run about 18% higher in Chillan, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $27.00 in Chillan versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $218 in Chillan vs $246 in Chiang Mai β 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?
Chillan costs about 18% 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 Chillan vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,534 per month in Chillan and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chillan 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 dining costs compare in Chillan vs Chiang Mai?
Are groceries more expensive in Chillan or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Chillan β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chillan or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Chillan at $1,023. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chillan 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. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,023 in Chillan. 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chillan or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chillan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.