Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Elizabethtown, KY and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $925 a month against $2,031 in Elizabethtown, KY, rent and utilities included – about $13,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Elizabethtown, KY
🇺🇸 United States
$2,031
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$925
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,031 per month in Elizabethtown, KY vs $925 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Elizabethtown, KY $2,031
  • Chiang Mai $925

A couple spends around $2,927 per month in Elizabethtown, KY vs $1,414 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Elizabethtown, KY $2,927
  • Chiang Mai $1,414

A family of three spends $3,823 per month in Elizabethtown, KY vs $1,903 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Elizabethtown, KY $3,823
  • Chiang Mai $1,903

Elizabethtown, KY costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Elizabethtown, KY sits 50% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 32% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.18 $15.18
$2.29 ฿76.5
562.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.75 $49.75
$19.64 ฿656
153.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.17 $10.17
$5.61 ฿188
81.28%
Cappuccino
$5.03 $5.03
$1.66 ฿55.6
203.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$0.70 ฿23.40
211.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 $1.65
$0.31 ฿10.24
432.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.48 $5.48
$2.41 ฿80.4
127.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.39 $7.39
$3.71 ฿124
99.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.95 ฿65.3
-58.46%
White Bread (500g)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.41 ฿47.03
51.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.31 ฿43.62
53.44%
Eggs
$2.85 $2.85
$2.18 ฿72.9
30.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.58 $12.58
$16.65 ฿556
-24.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.12 $11.12
$2.76 ฿92.2
302.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.87 $15.87
$9.11 ฿304
74.20%
Apples (1kg)
$5.70 $5.70
$2.39 ฿80.0
138.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.03 ฿34.26
55.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$1.63 ฿54.4
172.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.81 $4.81
$1.50 ฿50.0
220.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.63 $2.63
$1.29 ฿43.13
103.88%
Onion (1kg)
$3.25 $3.25
$1.11 ฿37.03
192.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.09 $2.09
$0.72 ฿24.08
190.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 $1.90
$0.53 ฿17.59
258.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.05 $6.05
$4.31 ฿144
40.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.24 $15.24
$17.95 ฿600
-15.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$1.58 ฿52.9
31.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 $2.98
$2.84 ฿95.0
4.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.86 ฿28.86
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.3 ฿1,780
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.80 $3.80
$1.21 ฿40.29
214.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.25 $1.25
$0.57 ฿18.99
119.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.34 $25.34
$2.35 ฿78.6
978.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.44 ฿47.96
-39.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.5K $36.5K
$20.7K ฿692.8K
75.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6K $24.6K
$26.8K ฿895.7K
-8.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$152 $152
$62.3 ฿2,083
143.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$75.6 $75.6
$12.11 ฿405
523.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.2 $72.2
$19.94 ฿666
261.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$37.07 ฿1,239
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.78 ฿126
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.12 $11.12
$6.50 ฿217
71.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,443 $1,443
$793 ฿26.5K
82.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.6K $19.6K
$14.8K ฿494.9K
32.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.09 $46.09
$53.7 ฿1,796
-14.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 $39.26
$24.62 ฿823
59.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.4 $85.4
$90.9 ฿3,036
-6.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.2 $84.2
$71.1 ฿2,378
18.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,207 $1,207
$455 ฿15.2K
165.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$953 $953
$298 ฿9,954
219.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,875 $1,875
$908 ฿30.4K
106.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,505 $1,505
$554 ฿18.5K
171.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,784 $1,784
$1,931 ฿64.5K
-7.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,733 $1,733
$1,445 ฿48.3K
19.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Elizabethtown, KY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,345 $3,345
$591 ฿19.7K
466.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
5.57
18.31%

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

Last update for Elizabethtown, KY: October 20, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Elizabethtown, KY
$953
Chiang Mai
$298 68.7% $655
Groceries & Markets
Elizabethtown, KY
$362
Chiang Mai
$235 35% $127
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Elizabethtown, KY
$299
Chiang Mai
$94 68.5% $205
Eating Out
Elizabethtown, KY
$270
Chiang Mai
$79 70.9% $191
Clothing & Footwear
Elizabethtown, KY
$115
Chiang Mai
$108 5.7% $6.6
Sport & Entertainment
Elizabethtown, KY
$22 *
Chiang Mai
$50 125% $28
Getting Around
Elizabethtown, KY
$10 *
Chiang Mai
$61 504% $51

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,207 in Elizabethtown, KY versus $455 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.

Salaries run about 466% higher in Elizabethtown, KY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Elizabethtown, KY versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $362 vs $235 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Elizabethtown, KY
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
02:02 2:02 AM
13:02 1:02 PM
11 h ahead of Elizabethtown, KY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
23,406
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Elizabethtown, KY Chiang Mai 13,710 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Elizabethtown, KY
  • 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
Elizabethtown, KY vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Elizabethtown, KY or Chiang Mai?
Elizabethtown, KY costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Elizabethtown, KY and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,046 per month in Elizabethtown, KY and $1,388 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Elizabethtown, KY 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 dining costs compare in Elizabethtown, KY and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Elizabethtown, KY and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Elizabethtown, KY or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 54% more in Elizabethtown, KY, 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 Elizabethtown, KY or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $925, than in Elizabethtown, KY at $2,031. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Elizabethtown, KY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Elizabethtown, KY or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $925 versus $2,031 in Elizabethtown, KY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Elizabethtown, KY 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 Elizabethtown, KY or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Elizabethtown, KY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Elizabethtown, KY vs other spots: cost of living compared

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