πA single person spends $3,082 per month in Chur vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $5,013 per month in Chur vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $6,945 per month in Chur vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πChur costs about 255% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πChur sits 129% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.57CHFΒ 24.27
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
1443.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.9CHFΒ 79.3
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
431.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.73CHFΒ 12.49
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
102.97%
Cappuccino
$5.74CHFΒ 4.56
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
198.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32CHFΒ 3.43
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
446.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33CHFΒ 3.44
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
1102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.35CHFΒ 5.84
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
232.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.22CHFΒ 5.73
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
97.27%
π Groceries & Markets
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.29CHFΒ 1.82
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
38.79%
White Bread(500g)
$3.79CHFΒ 3.01
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
132.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.19CHFΒ 3.33
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
252.10%
Eggs
$7.96CHFΒ 6.32
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
298.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$30.06CHFΒ 23.87
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
88.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$35.70CHFΒ 28.34
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
1078.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$36.60CHFΒ 29.06
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
237.02%
Apples(1kg)
$3.70CHFΒ 2.94
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
34.06%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27CHFΒ 1.80
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
92.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.56CHFΒ 2.03
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
56.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.68CHFΒ 4.51
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
273.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.81CHFΒ 1.43
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
31.16%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21CHFΒ 1.75
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
85.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.25CHFΒ 1.79
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
221.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26CHFΒ 1.00
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.92CHFΒ 8.67
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
138.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.59CHFΒ 10.79
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-17.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.40CHFΒ 1.91
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
31.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34CHFΒ 2.65
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
4.37%
π Getting Around
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$5.53CHFΒ 4.39
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
528.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$190CHFΒ 151
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
915.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.09CHFΒ 6.42
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
494.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.31CHFΒ 3.42
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
221.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$62.2CHFΒ 49.37
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
693.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.22CHFΒ 1.76
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
80.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.2KCHFΒ 31.1K
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
81.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.2KCHFΒ 29.5K
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
65.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$251CHFΒ 199
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
255.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.63CHFΒ 19.55
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
80.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.91CHFΒ 39.62
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
186.02%
π Sport & Entertainment
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$84.0CHFΒ 66.7
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
103.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.51CHFΒ 29.78
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
438.94%
Cinema Ticket
$21.81CHFΒ 17.31
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
277.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,487CHFΒ 1,974
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
709.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$41.9KCHFΒ 33.3K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
186.98%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$140CHFΒ 111
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
151.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.55CHFΒ 29.81
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
43.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132CHFΒ 104
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
53.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160CHFΒ 127
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
122.05%
π Accommodation & Living
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,507CHFΒ 1,197
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
250.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,127CHFΒ 895
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
372.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,877CHFΒ 2,284
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
251.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,515CHFΒ 1,996
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
392.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$10.1KCHFΒ 8,036
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
410.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,251CHFΒ 5,757
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
388.67%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Chur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$7,113CHFΒ 5,647
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
1049.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
5
-60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chur: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,507 in Chur versus $430 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 1049% higher in Chur, 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 $100 in Chur versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $638 vs $241 β making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Chur vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chur or Chiang Mai?
Chur costs about 255% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Chur vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,624 per month in Chur and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chur 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 Chur and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $2,487 per month in Chur and $307 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 Chur or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 165% more in Chur, 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 Chur or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Chur at $3,082. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chur it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chur or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $3,082 in Chur. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chur 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 Chur or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chur makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.