Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dimapur and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Dimapur: $338 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $7,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Dimapur, India
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Dimapur
🇮🇳 India
$338
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dimapur 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 Dimapur and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $338 per month in Dimapur vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Dimapur $338
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $554 per month in Dimapur vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Dimapur $554
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $771 per month in Dimapur vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Dimapur $771
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Dimapur is about 64% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Dimapur and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Dimapur 75% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.84 ₹270
$2.24 ฿75.6
26.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.67 ₹1,108
$19.00 ฿641
-38.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.27 ₹501
$5.55 ฿187
-5.05%
Cappuccino
$2.47 ₹235
$1.67 ฿56.5
47.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 ₹38.41
$0.64 ฿21.54
-37.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 ₹13.80
$0.31 ฿10.31
-51.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.28 ₹121
$2.36 ฿79.5
-45.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ₹328
$3.66 ฿124
-5.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.63 ₹59.6
$1.95 ฿65.7
-67.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.47 ₹44.28
$1.44 ฿48.46
-67.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.56 ₹53.0
$1.33 ฿45.03
-57.89%
Eggs
$0.96 ₹91.6
$2.28 ฿77.1
-57.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.86 ₹367
$16.45 ฿555
-76.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.36 ₹319
$2.78 ฿93.9
20.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$9.31 ฿314
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.23 ₹212
$2.35 ฿79.4
-5.11%
Banana (1kg)
$0.71 ₹67.8
$0.97 ฿32.79
-26.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.90 ₹85.5
$1.60 ฿53.9
-43.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.62 ₹58.4
$1.50 ฿50.6
-58.67%
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 ₹33.41
$1.28 ฿43.11
-72.66%
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 ₹35.68
$1.10 ฿37.18
-65.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.33 ₹31.74
$0.71 ฿23.82
-53.52%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₹27.73
$0.49 ฿16.36
-40.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.02 ₹477
$4.14 ฿140
21.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.00 ₹665
$17.52 ฿591
-60.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73 ₹164
$1.61 ฿54.5
7.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 ₹233
$2.78 ฿93.9
-11.87%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$4.85 ₹461
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₹21.90
$0.87 ฿29.30
-73.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.91 ₹751
$54.1 ฿1,825
-85.38%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 ₹65.8
$1.16 ฿39.04
-40.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.30 ₹28.70
$0.53 ฿17.80
-43.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.35 ₹128
$2.42 ฿81.7
-44.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 ₹105
$1.45 ฿48.88
-24.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.2K ₹1.1M
$21.1K ฿710.5K
-46.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.3K ₹1.5M
$26.9K ฿909.0K
-39.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$15.68 ₹1,489
$62.2 ฿2,098
-74.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.29 ₹312
$12.17 ฿411
-72.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.15 ₹584
$20.12 ฿679
-69.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.27 ₹1,355
$37.31 ฿1,259
-61.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.70 ₹541
$3.77 ฿127
51.19%
Cinema Ticket
$3.19 ₹303
$6.49 ฿219
-50.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$27.55 ₹2,616
$736 ฿24.8K
-96.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,216 ₹210.4K
$14.8K ฿498.2K
-84.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.50 ₹1,662
$53.4 ฿1,801
-67.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.55 ₹2,996
$24.64 ฿831
28.04%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$37.11 ₹3,524
$91.5 ฿3,087
-59.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$27.73 ₹2,633
$71.9 ฿2,427
-61.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$63.7 ₹6,050
$482 ฿16.3K
-86.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$44.24 ₹4,200
$309 ฿10.4K
-85.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$166 ₹15.7K
$1,006 ฿33.9K
-83.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$116 ₹11.0K
$633 ฿21.4K
-81.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,017 ₹96.6K
$2,363 ฿79.7K
-56.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$556 ₹52.7K
$1,589 ฿53.6K
-65.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dimapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$590 ฿19.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.38
5.57
32.50%

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

Last update for Dimapur: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Dimapur
$102
Chiang Mai
$234 130% $133
Eating Out
Dimapur
$84
Chiang Mai
$78 7.3% $6.1
Clothing & Footwear
Dimapur
$51
Chiang Mai
$109 112% $57
Accommodation & Living
Dimapur
$44
Chiang Mai
$309 598% $265
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dimapur
$25
Chiang Mai
$94 276% $69
Sport & Entertainment
Dimapur
$21
Chiang Mai
$50 144% $30
Getting Around
Dimapur
$11
Chiang Mai
$61 456% $50

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $64 in Dimapur versus $482 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 $12 in Dimapur versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $102 vs $234 – making Dimapur the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇳 Dimapur
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
16:16 4:16 PM
17:46 5:46 PM
1 h 30 min ahead of Dimapur
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
122,800
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to INR – Indian Rupee Converter

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 94.95 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Dimapur Chiang Mai 960 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Dimapur
  • 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
Dimapur vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dimapur or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 177% more than Dimapur, 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 Dimapur and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $507 per month in Dimapur and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dimapur or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Dimapur, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $64 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Dimapur and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $28 per month in Dimapur and $736 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 Dimapur or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 130% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Dimapur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Dimapur compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Dimapur is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 64% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Dimapur vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?