For one person, living is cheaper in Chlef: $427 a month against $938 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chlef and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $427 per month in Chlef vs $938 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
Chlef $427
Chiang Mai $938
A couple spends around $689 per month in Chlef vs $1,426 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
Chlef $689
Chiang Mai $1,426
A family of three spends $952 per month in Chlef vs $1,914 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
Chlef $952
Chiang Mai $1,914
🙂
Chlef is about 54% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both Chlef and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Chlef68% lower, Chiang Mai30% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.65DZD 221
$2.26฿75.8
-26.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.13DZD 3,771
$19.18฿645
46.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$1.82DZD 244
$5.59฿188
-67.44%
Cappuccino
$0.90DZD 120
$1.72฿58.0
-47.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48DZD 64.5
$0.64฿21.67
-25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23DZD 30.70
$0.33฿11.24
-30.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.14DZD 153
$2.36฿79.2
-51.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22DZD 297
$3.90฿131
-43.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.50DZD 66.6
$2.05฿69.0
-75.61%
White Bread(500g)
$0.13DZD 17.16
$1.40฿46.97
-90.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.15DZD 154
$1.28฿43.14
-10.16%
Eggs
$1.19DZD 159
$2.25฿75.7
-47.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.00DZD 402
$16.94฿569
-82.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.00DZD 536
$2.74฿92.1
45.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.59DZD 1,419
$9.36฿315
13.14%
Apples(1kg)
$2.09DZD 280
$2.40฿80.7
-12.92%
Banana(1kg)
$2.69DZD 360
$1.01฿34.11
166.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.10DZD 148
$1.61฿54.2
-31.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.28DZD 36.93
$1.52฿51.0
-81.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34DZD 45.25
$1.28฿43.14
-73.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49DZD 65.6
$1.11฿37.43
-55.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62DZD 83.2
$0.72฿24.23
-13.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25DZD 33.40
$0.52฿17.64
-51.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.42DZD 325
$4.33฿145
-44.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.70DZD 898
$17.73฿596
-62.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07DZD 144
$1.63฿54.7
-34.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92DZD 257
$2.85฿95.9
-32.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16DZD 20.80
$0.85฿28.47
-81.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.63DZD 888
$53.9฿1,812
-87.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.58DZD 77.8
$1.17฿39.40
-50.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.47DZD 62.7
$0.57฿19.10
-17.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.96DZD 531
$2.37฿79.6
67.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.32DZD 42.56
$1.45฿48.59
-77.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0KDZD 4.3M
$20.5K฿688.2K
56.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.8KDZD 4.7M
$26.5K฿891.1K
31.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.68DZD 4,514
$62.3฿2,095
-45.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60DZD 1,287
$12.27฿412
-21.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.45DZD 1,668
$19.97฿671
-37.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$10.98DZD 1,472
$37.91฿1,274
-71.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.71DZD 1,972
$3.76฿126
291.22%
Cinema Ticket
$2.48DZD 332
$6.71฿226
-63.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$68.3DZD 9,151
$797฿26.8K
-91.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,441DZD 193.1K
$14.8K฿498.5K
-90.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.92DZD 1,464
$53.3฿1,790
-79.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.45DZD 4,617
$25.05฿842
37.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.6DZD 9,196
$91.6฿3,079
-25.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.27DZD 5,933
$73.5฿2,469
-39.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$146DZD 19.6K
$464฿15.6K
-68.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$92.8DZD 12.4K
$305฿10.2K
-69.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$162DZD 21.7K
$915฿30.8K
-82.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$112DZD 15.1K
$552฿18.6K
-79.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$954DZD 127.9K
$1,912฿64.3K
-50.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,019DZD 136.5K
$1,438฿48.3K
-29.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chlef
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$461DZD 61.8K
$595฿20.0K
-22.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.57
-10.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chlef: October 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: October 13, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Chlef
$139 32.5%
Chiang Mai
$238 25.4% ↑ 71.5%$99
🏠Accommodation & Living
Chlef
$93 21.7%
Chiang Mai
$305 32.5% ↑ 228%$212
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Chlef
$71 16.7%
Chiang Mai
$110 11.7% ↑ 53.8%$38
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chlef
$56 13.1%
Chiang Mai
$95 10.1% ↑ 69.7%$39
🍽Eating Out
Chlef
$42 9.9%
Chiang Mai
$79 8.4% ↑ 86.4%$37
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Chlef
$16 3.7%
Chiang Mai
$51 5.5% ↑ 222%$35
🚌Getting Around
Chlef
$10 2.4%
Chiang Mai
$61 6.5% ↑ 503%$51
🛒Groceries & Markets
Chlef
$326 34.2%
Chiang Mai
$534 27.9% ↑ 64.1%$209
🏠Accommodation & Living
Chlef
$112 11.8%
Chiang Mai
$552 28.9% ↑ 392%$440
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Chlef
$158 16.6%
Chiang Mai
$243 12.7% ↑ 53.8%$85
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chlef
$65 6.9%
Chiang Mai
$107 5.6% ↑ 63.6%$42
🍽Eating Out
Chlef
$223 23.5%
Chiang Mai
$246 12.9% ↑ 10.3%$23
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Chlef
$47 4.9%
Chiang Mai
$106 5.6% ↑ 128%$60
🚌Getting Around
Chlef
$21 2.2%
Chiang Mai
$124 6.5% ↑ 502%$104
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $146 in Chlef versus $464 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 29% 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 $28.00 in Chlef versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $139 in Chlef vs $238 in Chiang Mai – so Chlef wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Chlef vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chlef or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 120% more than Chlef, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Chlef and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $641 per month in Chlef and $1,408 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chlef or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chlef, 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 Chlef and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $68.3 per month in Chlef and $797 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 Chlef or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 72% 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 Chlef or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Chlef, where all-in costs run around $427, than in Chiang Mai at $938. In Chlef 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, Chlef or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chlef costs $427 versus $938 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chlef 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 Chlef or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chlef. 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.