Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chone and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chone: $732 a month against $938 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $2,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chone
🇪🇨 Ecuador
$732
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chone and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chone and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $732 per month in Chone vs $938 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Chone $732
  • Chiang Mai $938

A couple spends around $1,240 per month in Chone vs $1,426 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Chone $1,240
  • Chiang Mai $1,426

A family of three spends $1,748 per month in Chone vs $1,914 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Chone $1,748
  • Chiang Mai $1,914

Chone is about 22% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chone and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Chone 46% lower, Chiang Mai 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.77 $3.77
$2.26 ฿75.4
66.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.29 $31.29
$19.18 ฿641
63.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.91 $5.91
$5.59 ฿187
5.72%
Cappuccino
$2.48 $2.48
$1.72 ฿57.6
44.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 $0.86
$0.64 ฿21.54
34.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 $0.69
$0.33 ฿11.18
109.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.36 ฿78.7
-12.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.08 $4.08
$3.90 ฿130
4.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$2.05 ฿68.6
-45.37%
White Bread (500g)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.40 ฿46.70
8.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 $1.57
$1.28 ฿42.89
22.66%
Eggs
$2.00 $2.00
$2.25 ฿75.3
-11.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.64 $6.64
$16.94 ฿566
-60.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$2.74 ฿91.6
66.06%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.32 $6.32
$9.36 ฿313
-32.48%
Apples (1kg)
$1.55 $1.55
$2.40 ฿80.3
-35.42%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 $0.97
$1.01 ฿33.92
-3.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.61 ฿53.9
-35.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.52 ฿50.7
-32.24%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.28 ฿42.90
-11.72%
Onion (1kg)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.11 ฿37.22
-7.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 $0.71
$0.72 ฿24.09
-1.39%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.52 ฿17.54
107.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.01 $5.01
$4.33 ฿145
15.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.56 $8.56
$17.73 ฿593
-51.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.63 ฿54.4
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.85 ฿95.3
-3.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 $0.31
$0.85 ฿28.31
-63.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.28 $17.28
$53.9 ฿1,801
-67.94%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.32 $1.32
$1.17 ฿39.18
12.82%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.23 $1.23
$0.57 ฿19.00
115.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.58 $8.58
$2.37 ฿79.2
262.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.45 ฿48.32
-40.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K $21.7K
$20.5K ฿684.3K
5.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0K $33.0K
$26.5K ฿886.1K
24.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.43 $41.43
$62.3 ฿2,083
-33.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.59 $13.59
$12.27 ฿410
10.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.32 $25.32
$19.97 ฿668
26.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.32 $33.32
$37.91 ฿1,267
-12.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.43 $15.43
$3.76 ฿126
310.37%
Cinema Ticket
$6.33 $6.33
$6.71 ฿224
-5.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$207 $207
$797 ฿26.6K
-74.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,025 $5,025
$14.8K ฿495.7K
-66.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5 $55.5
$53.3 ฿1,780
4.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.21 $47.21
$25.05 ฿837
88.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 $109
$91.6 ฿3,062
18.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.7 $79.7
$73.5 ฿2,455
8.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$319 $319
$464 ฿15.5K
-31.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$169 $169
$305 ฿10.2K
-44.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$788 $788
$915 ฿30.6K
-13.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 $451
$552 ฿18.5K
-18.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,272 $1,272
$1,912 ฿63.9K
-33.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$807 $807
$1,438 ฿48.1K
-43.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chone
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$595 ฿19.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.05
5.57
80.43%

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

Last update for Chone: October 11, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Chone
$177
Chiang Mai
$238 34.3% $61
Accommodation & Living
Chone
$169
Chiang Mai
$305 80.6% $136
Clothing & Footwear
Chone
$131
Chiang Mai
$110 16.5% $22
Eating Out
Chone
$102
Chiang Mai
$79 22.8% $23
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chone
$80
Chiang Mai
$95 17.7% $14
Sport & Entertainment
Chone
$46
Chiang Mai
$51 11.7% $5.4
Getting Around
Chone
$26
Chiang Mai
$61 136% $35

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $319 in Chone 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $31.00 in Chone versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $177 in Chone vs $238 in Chiang Mai – so Chone wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇪🇨 Chone
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
13:19 1:19 PM
01:19 1:19 AM
12 h ahead of Chone
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
44,751
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chone Chiang Mai 18,000 km ≈ 23 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chone
  • Chiang Mai

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
Chone vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chone or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 28% more than Chone, 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 Chone and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,097 per month in Chone 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, Chone or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chone, 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 Chone and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $207 per month in Chone 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 Chone or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 34% 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 $1,000/month in Chone or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chone, where all-in costs run around $732, than in Chiang Mai at $938. In Chone 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, Chone or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chone costs $732 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 Chone 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 Chone or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chone. 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.

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