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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,164 per month in Chitila vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,808 per month in Chitila vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,453 per month in Chitila vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Chitila costs about 37% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chitila and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Chitila 13% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.76 RON 60.0
$1.96 ฿64.0
602.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.0 RON 296
$18.81 ฿615
261.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.93 RON 34.56
$7.92 ฿259
0.13%
Cappuccino
$3.36 RON 14.64
$1.91 ฿62.6
75.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 RON 8.62
$0.84 ฿27.41
135.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 RON 5.75
$0.35 ฿11.51
277.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 RON 10.14
$2.21 ฿72.1
4.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25 RON 14.18
$3.80 ฿124
-14.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 RON 7.43
$1.64 ฿53.5
3.66%
White Bread (500g)
$1.24 RON 5.39
$1.62 ฿53.1
-23.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.83 RON 7.98
$1.18 ฿38.62
55.08%
Eggs
$3.21 RON 13.98
$2.01 ฿65.8
59.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.44 RON 41.17
$15.89 ฿520
-40.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.76 RON 29.45
$3.01 ฿98.5
124.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.50 RON 50.1
$10.77 ฿352
6.78%
Apples (1kg)
$1.34 RON 5.84
$2.61 ฿85.5
-48.66%
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 RON 7.71
$1.22 ฿39.88
45.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 RON 7.44
$1.70 ฿55.7
0.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.53 RON 11.04
$1.58 ฿51.5
60.13%
Potato (1kg)
$1.00 RON 4.36
$1.32 ฿43.14
-24.24%
Onion (1kg)
$0.98 RON 4.26
$1.17 ฿38.23
-16.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.94 RON 4.08
$0.67 ฿21.98
40.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 RON 3.97
$0.56 ฿18.32
62.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.59 RON 28.72
$4.53 ฿148
45.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.02 RON 30.61
$18.20 ฿595
-61.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 RON 4.94
$1.83 ฿60.0
-38.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 RON 8.10
$3.23 ฿106
-42.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.67 RON 2.90
$0.89 ฿29.00
-24.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.90 RON 86.8
$19.38 ฿634
2.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.68 RON 2.96
$1.35 ฿44.20
-49.63%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 RON 2.67
$1.35 ฿44.05
-54.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.87 RON 29.96
$8.25 ฿270
-16.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.73 RON 7.53
$1.27 ฿41.64
36.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K RON 121.6K
$21.2K ฿691.8K
31.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.4K RON 119.6K
$22.5K ฿735.3K
21.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$179 RON 780
$70.2 ฿2,294
155.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.08 RON 39.57
$13.77 ฿450
-34.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.46 RON 49.95
$17.60 ฿575
-34.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.14 RON 179
$41.57 ฿1,360
-1.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.96 RON 82.7
$6.60 ฿216
187.27%
Cinema Ticket
$8.23 RON 35.87
$5.78 ฿189
42.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$552 RON 2,408
$306 ฿10.0K
80.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,261 RON 36.0K
$14.8K ฿484.8K
-44.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.3 RON 359
$54.4 ฿1,778
51.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.1 RON 284
$26.14 ฿855
149.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.7 RON 395
$84.5 ฿2,764
7.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.7 RON 400
$69.4 ฿2,270
32.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$394 RON 1,718
$424 ฿13.9K
-6.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$286 RON 1,249
$238 ฿7,788
20.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$576 RON 2,511
$825 ฿27.0K
-30.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$439 RON 1,915
$515 ฿16.8K
-14.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,788 RON 7,797
$2,049 ฿67.0K
-12.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,358 RON 5,921
$1,523 ฿49.8K
-10.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chitila
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$938 RON 4,091
$635 ฿20.8K
47.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.78
5
35.60%

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

Last update for Chitila: April 28, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $394 in Chitila 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.

Salaries run about 48% higher in Chitila, 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 $68.0 in Chitila versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $226 in Chitila vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Chitila 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
Chitila vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chitila or Chiang Mai?
Chitila costs about 37% 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 Chitila vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,745 per month in Chitila and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chitila 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 Chitila and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $552 per month in Chitila 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 Chitila or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Chitila – 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 Chitila or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Chitila at $1,164. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chitila it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chitila or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,164 in Chitila. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chitila 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 Chitila or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chitila makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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