Cost of Living Comparison Between Dong Xoai and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Dong Xoai and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $712 per month in Dong Xoai vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,106 per month in Dong Xoai vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,499 per month in Dong Xoai vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Dong Xoai is about 18% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Dong Xoai and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Dong Xoai 47% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94 ₫50.9K
$1.94 ฿63.5
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.44 ₫563.4K
$18.64 ฿609
15.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.43 ₫116.3K
$7.82 ฿255
-43.35%
Cappuccino
$1.56 ₫41.0K
$1.95 ฿63.8
-20.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 ₫13.3K
$0.85 ฿27.77
-40.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ₫7,975
$0.35 ฿11.58
-14.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.92 ₫24.2K
$2.13 ฿69.6
-56.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 ₫40.9K
$3.73 ฿122
-58.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.43 ₫37.5K
$1.71 ฿56.0
-16.37%
White Bread (500g)
$0.91 ₫23.8K
$1.63 ฿53.2
-44.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.92 ₫24.3K
$1.14 ฿37.15
-19.30%
Eggs
$1.47 ₫38.5K
$1.93 ฿63.1
-23.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.91 ₫312.9K
$16.21 ฿530
-26.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.76 ₫98.8K
$3.12 ฿102
20.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.87 ₫259.3K
$10.90 ฿356
-9.45%
Apples (1kg)
$2.65 ₫69.6K
$2.75 ฿90.0
-3.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 ₫27.7K
$1.21 ฿39.52
-13.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.31 ₫34.4K
$1.62 ฿53.0
-19.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.08 ₫28.5K
$1.59 ฿51.8
-32.08%
Potato (1kg)
$1.07 ₫28.1K
$1.40 ฿45.70
-23.57%
Onion (1kg)
$1.02 ₫26.8K
$1.17 ฿38.17
-12.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.58 ₫15.2K
$0.66 ฿21.60
-12.12%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ₫13.5K
$0.53 ฿17.22
-3.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.37 ₫36.0K
$4.69 ฿153
-70.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.63 ₫226.9K
$18.66 ฿609
-53.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₫19.9K
$1.80 ฿58.8
-57.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 ₫41.6K
$3.23 ฿106
-51.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 ₫8,246
$0.90 ฿29.26
-65.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.58 ₫172.8K
$19.21 ฿628
-65.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.74 ₫19.5K
$1.41 ฿45.91
-47.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.63 ₫16.5K
$1.29 ฿42.12
-51.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 ₫74.0K
$7.84 ฿256
-64.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 ₫22.0K
$1.27 ฿41.58
-33.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K ₫912.0M
$21.3K ฿694.9K
63.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8K ₫835.6M
$22.2K ฿725.4K
43.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.7 ₫2.0M
$69.1 ฿2,256
8.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.95 ₫156.4K
$14.08 ฿460
-57.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.93 ₫234.7K
$18.00 ฿588
-50.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.19 ₫556.6K
$41.06 ฿1,341
-48.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.86 ₫206.6K
$6.96 ฿227
12.93%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11 ₫81.6K
$5.92 ฿193
-47.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$269 ₫7.1M
$299 ฿9,766
-10.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K ₫300.5M
$15.0K ฿488.3K
-23.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.50 ₫1.1M
$54.7 ฿1,787
-25.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.13 ₫607.8K
$26.77 ฿874
-13.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.8 ₫2.3M
$85.0 ฿2,776
3.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5 ₫1.9M
$70.6 ฿2,306
4.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$364 ₫9.6M
$428 ฿14.0K
-15.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$243 ₫6.4M
$237 ฿7,752
2.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$683 ₫17.9M
$801 ฿26.2K
-14.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$458 ₫12.0M
$515 ฿16.8K
-11.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,371 ₫114.8M
$1,975 ฿64.5K
121.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,426 ₫37.5M
$1,475 ฿48.2K
-3.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dong Xoai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$617 ฿20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.1
5
82.00%

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

Last update for Dong Xoai: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $364 in Dong Xoai versus $428 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 $21.00 in Dong Xoai versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $185 in Dong Xoai vs $246 in Chiang Mai – so Dong Xoai wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Dong Xoai vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 22% more than Dong Xoai, 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 Dong Xoai vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,068 per month in Dong Xoai and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Dong Xoai, 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 Dong Xoai and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $269 per month in Dong Xoai 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 Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 33% 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 $1,200/month in Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $712 in Dong Xoai and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Dong Xoai costs $712 versus $866 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Dong Xoai 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 Dong Xoai or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Dong Xoai. 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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