πA single person spends $1,087 per month in Elazig vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,668 per month in Elazig vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,249 per month in Elazig vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πElazig costs about 25% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Elazig and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Elazig19% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.60βΊ350
$1.98ΰΈΏ65.0
283.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.83βΊ1,422
$18.80ΰΈΏ619
63.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.45βΊ344
$7.75ΰΈΏ255
-3.87%
Cappuccino
$2.81βΊ130
$1.92ΰΈΏ63.2
46.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30βΊ59.8
$0.79ΰΈΏ26.07
64.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46βΊ21.41
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.74
27.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.52βΊ162
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.9
59.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83βΊ177
$3.66ΰΈΏ120
4.64%
π Groceries & Markets
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.95βΊ43.63
$1.65ΰΈΏ54.4
-42.42%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79βΊ36.50
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.7
-51.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19βΊ101
$1.19ΰΈΏ39.28
84.03%
Eggs
$1.88βΊ86.6
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.8
-6.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.37βΊ432
$15.98ΰΈΏ526
-41.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.72βΊ264
$3.03ΰΈΏ99.6
88.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.39βΊ894
$10.86ΰΈΏ357
78.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.25βΊ57.6
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.9
-54.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.15βΊ99.0
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.83
82.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.09βΊ50.4
$1.64ΰΈΏ54.0
-33.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.32βΊ60.9
$1.52ΰΈΏ50.0
-13.16%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73βΊ33.59
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.59
-47.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63βΊ29.24
$1.19ΰΈΏ39.25
-47.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91βΊ42.00
$0.70ΰΈΏ23.11
30.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49βΊ22.48
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.32
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.10βΊ96.7
$4.58ΰΈΏ151
-54.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.95βΊ505
$16.56ΰΈΏ545
-33.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17βΊ99.9
$1.83ΰΈΏ60.2
18.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14βΊ145
$3.20ΰΈΏ105
-1.88%
π Getting Around
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ29.07
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.87
-28.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.20βΊ1,392
$18.72ΰΈΏ616
61.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ50.1
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.64
-19.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65βΊ30.06
$1.34ΰΈΏ44.12
-51.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.58βΊ349
$7.84ΰΈΏ258
-3.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21βΊ56.0
$1.23ΰΈΏ40.35
-1.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.1KβΊ2.0M
$21.6KΰΈΏ711.8K
99.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.0KβΊ2.0M
$22.5KΰΈΏ742.2K
90.76%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.4βΊ2,829
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,322
-13.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.66βΊ491
$13.68ΰΈΏ450
-22.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.02βΊ600
$17.45ΰΈΏ574
-25.39%
π Sport & Entertainment
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.91βΊ1,978
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,361
3.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ229
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.61βΊ259
$5.77ΰΈΏ190
-2.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618βΊ28.5K
$307ΰΈΏ10.1K
101.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,864βΊ408.6K
$14.6KΰΈΏ481.0K
-39.33%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.0βΊ2,398
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,837
-6.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.43βΊ2,048
$26.21ΰΈΏ863
69.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101βΊ4,667
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,823
18.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.2βΊ4,203
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,378
26.19%
π Accommodation & Living
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$518βΊ23.9K
$430ΰΈΏ14.1K
20.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393βΊ18.1K
$239ΰΈΏ7,857
64.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$902βΊ41.6K
$817ΰΈΏ26.9K
10.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$708βΊ32.6K
$511ΰΈΏ16.8K
38.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,496βΊ69.0K
$1,983ΰΈΏ65.3K
-24.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$818βΊ37.7K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.9K
-44.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Elazig
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$918βΊ42.3K
$619ΰΈΏ20.4K
48.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
5
636.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Elazig: June 8, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $518 in Elazig 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 48% higher in Elazig, 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 $31.00 in Elazig versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $231 in Elazig vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so Elazig 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
Elazig vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Elazig or Chiang Mai?
Elazig costs about 25% 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 Elazig vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,631 per month in Elazig 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, Elazig 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 Elazig and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $618 per month in Elazig 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 Elazig or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Elazig β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Elazig or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Elazig at $1,087. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Elazig it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Elazig or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,087 in Elazig. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Elazig 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 Elazig or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Elazig makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.