ðA single person spends $460 per month in Dehradun vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $823 per month in Dehradun vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,185 per month in Dehradun vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðDehradun is about 46% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Dehradun and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Dehradun66% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.39âđ227
$1.96āļŋ64.0
21.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.31âđ884
$18.81āļŋ615
-50.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.98âđ378
$7.92āļŋ259
-49.75%
Cappuccino
$1.75âđ167
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-8.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44âđ41.82
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-47.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19âđ17.60
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-45.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02âđ192
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-8.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93âđ278
$3.80āļŋ124
-22.89%
ð Groceries & Markets
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.75âđ71.5
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-54.27%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45âđ43.08
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-72.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.71âđ67.3
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-39.83%
Eggs
$0.90âđ85.5
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-55.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.66âđ442
$15.89āļŋ520
-70.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.54âđ336
$3.01āļŋ98.5
17.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ352
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.95âđ185
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-25.29%
Banana(1kg)
$0.68âđ65.0
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-44.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.79âđ75.3
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-53.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.55âđ52.2
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-65.19%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35âđ32.77
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-73.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.45âđ42.65
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-61.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55âđ52.5
$0.67āļŋ21.98
-17.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38âđ35.79
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-32.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.37âđ415
$4.53āļŋ148
-3.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.30âđ978
$18.20āļŋ595
-43.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71âđ162
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-6.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33âđ221
$3.23āļŋ106
-27.86%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.96âđ565
-
-
ð Getting Around
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.62
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$13.99âđ1,329
$19.38āļŋ634
-27.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.79âđ74.7
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-41.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22âđ20.87
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-83.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.08âđ197
$8.25āļŋ270
-74.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14âđ108
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-10.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.0Kâđ1.2M
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-38.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3Kâđ1.9M
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-9.53%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.89âđ3,882
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-41.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.82âđ363
$13.77āļŋ450
-72.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.28âđ691
$17.60āļŋ575
-58.64%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.61âđ1,577
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-60.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.82âđ1,028
$6.60āļŋ216
63.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.41âđ513
$5.78āļŋ189
-6.40%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$64.8âđ6,149
$306āļŋ10.0K
-78.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,111âđ105.5K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-92.51%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.67âđ2,058
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-60.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.23âđ2,680
$26.14āļŋ855
8.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$47.78âđ4,536
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-43.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.43âđ4,123
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-37.45%
ð Accommodation & Living
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$179âđ17.0K
$424āļŋ13.9K
-57.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$111âđ10.6K
$238āļŋ7,788
-53.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$410âđ38.9K
$825āļŋ27.0K
-50.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$481âđ45.7K
$515āļŋ16.8K
-6.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$746âđ70.8K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-63.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$468âđ44.4K
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-69.28%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Dehradun
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$365âđ34.7K
$635āļŋ20.8K
-42.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.25
5
65.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dehradun: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $179 in Dehradun 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.
ð°Salaries run about 74% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Dehradun versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $112 vs $243 â making Dehradun 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
Dehradun vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 85% more than Dehradun, 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 Dehradun vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $690 per month in Dehradun and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Dehradun, 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 Dehradun and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $64.8 per month in Dehradun 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 Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 116% 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 Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $460 in Dehradun and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Dehradun costs $460 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Dehradun 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Dehradun or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Dehradun. 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.