๐A single person spends $1,886 per month in Dinan vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,946 per month in Dinan vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $4,007 per month in Dinan vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Dinan costs about 123% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Dinan sits 41% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.17โฌ14.65
$1.95เธฟ62.8
780.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.5โฌ60.1
$18.43เธฟ594
282.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.52โฌ9.83
$7.50เธฟ241
53.60%
Cappuccino
$3.67โฌ3.13
$1.93เธฟ62.3
90.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42โฌ2.06
$0.78เธฟ25.08
210.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44โฌ1.23
$0.32เธฟ10.42
350.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.00โฌ6.83
$2.15เธฟ69.2
272.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.18โฌ4.42
$3.71เธฟ120
39.62%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23โฌ1.05
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-28.07%
White Bread(500g)
$4.29โฌ3.66
$1.56เธฟ50.3
175.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.58โฌ3.06
$1.18เธฟ38.06
203.39%
Eggs
$3.39โฌ2.89
$1.98เธฟ63.9
71.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$22.87โฌ19.51
$16.04เธฟ517
42.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.55โฌ11.56
$3.17เธฟ102
327.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.15โฌ18.04
$10.94เธฟ353
93.33%
Apples(1kg)
$3.05โฌ2.61
$2.63เธฟ84.7
15.97%
Banana(1kg)
$1.98โฌ1.69
$1.17เธฟ37.61
69.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.88โฌ2.46
$1.65เธฟ53.0
74.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.17โฌ2.70
$1.54เธฟ49.51
105.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.46
$1.38เธฟ44.34
23.91%
Onion(1kg)
$2.25โฌ1.92
$1.17เธฟ37.54
92.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.60โฌ1.37
$0.66เธฟ21.25
142.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59โฌ0.50
$0.51เธฟ16.55
15.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.77โฌ10.89
$4.52เธฟ146
182.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.24โฌ6.18
$18.32เธฟ590
-60.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.57โฌ3.05
$1.80เธฟ57.9
98.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21โฌ2.74
$3.18เธฟ102
0.94%
๐ Getting Around
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.99โฌ1.70
$0.90เธฟ28.97
121.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$48.71โฌ41.55
$19.00เธฟ612
156.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.72โฌ4.88
$1.41เธฟ45.50
305.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.65โฌ2.26
$1.31เธฟ42.15
102.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$37.41โฌ31.91
$8.09เธฟ261
362.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.00โฌ1.71
$1.28เธฟ41.08
56.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9Kโฌ32.3K
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
78.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7Kโฌ33.0K
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
78.44%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187โฌ159
$69.2เธฟ2,230
169.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.75โฌ20.26
$13.97เธฟ450
70.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.03โฌ23.91
$17.95เธฟ578
56.16%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.24โฌ32.62
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-9.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.34โฌ15.65
$6.66เธฟ214
175.38%
Cinema Ticket
$15.66โฌ13.36
$5.92เธฟ191
164.53%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$769โฌ656
$299เธฟ9,640
156.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,736โฌ7,451
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-41.17%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$127โฌ108
$56.2เธฟ1,810
125.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.23โฌ30.91
$26.94เธฟ868
34.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.5โฌ82.3
$84.9เธฟ2,735
13.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$184โฌ157
$71.8เธฟ2,314
155.67%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$760โฌ648
$435เธฟ14.0K
74.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$608โฌ518
$240เธฟ7,727
153.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,404โฌ1,198
$798เธฟ25.7K
76.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,086โฌ926
$498เธฟ16.1K
117.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,639โฌ3,104
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
82.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,713โฌ2,314
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
77.10%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Dinan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,691โฌ1,442
$628เธฟ20.2K
169.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.62
5
-27.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dinan: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $760 in Dinan versus $435 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 169% higher in Dinan, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $70 in Dinan versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $399 vs $244 โ 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
Dinan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dinan or Chiang Mai?
Dinan costs about 123% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Dinan vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,829 per month in Dinan and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dinan 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 Dinan and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $769 per month in Dinan and $299 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 Dinan or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 64% more in Dinan, 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 Dinan or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Dinan at $1,886. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dinan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Dinan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,886 in Dinan. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Dinan 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Dinan or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dinan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.