🙂A single person spends $880 per month in Embu das Artes vs $905 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Embu das Artes vs $1,374 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,034 per month in Embu das Artes vs $1,843 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Embu das Artes is about 3% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Embu das Artes and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Embu das Artes35% lower, Chiang Mai33% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.90R$35.36
$2.08฿68.8
231.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.57R$203
$19.52฿645
102.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.71R$44.63
$5.94฿196
46.63%
Cappuccino
$2.27R$11.64
$1.70฿56.3
33.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40R$7.19
$0.72฿23.76
94.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81R$4.13
$0.32฿10.72
153.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.02R$15.48
$2.44฿80.7
23.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38R$22.42
$3.66฿121
19.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15R$5.91
$1.86฿61.4
-38.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.87R$9.60
$1.56฿51.5
19.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18R$6.03
$1.33฿43.92
-11.28%
Eggs
$2.62R$13.40
$2.16฿71.4
21.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.91R$45.63
$15.58฿515
-42.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.50R$23.06
$2.85฿94.0
57.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.47R$53.6
$10.39฿343
0.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.69R$13.76
$2.44฿80.5
10.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74R$8.93
$1.09฿35.97
59.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61R$8.25
$1.47฿48.56
9.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.80R$9.20
$1.49฿49.25
20.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34R$6.87
$1.20฿39.60
11.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.24R$6.35
$1.09฿35.86
13.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.93R$4.77
$0.69฿22.72
34.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78R$3.97
$0.51฿16.97
52.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72R$13.94
$4.37฿144
-37.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.98R$45.98
$16.63฿550
-46.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56R$8.00
$1.65฿54.4
-5.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65R$13.55
$2.74฿90.6
-3.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.96R$4.90
$0.94฿31.16
2.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.33R$232
$54.7฿1,809
-17.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.25R$6.42
$1.23฿40.53
1.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.00R$5.14
$0.57฿18.94
75.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.46R$48.43
$2.36฿78.0
300.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24R$6.33
$1.45฿47.87
-14.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.5KR$120.3K
$20.8K฿688.6K
12.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7KR$167.6K
$26.3K฿867.9K
24.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.14R$231
$62.3฿2,059
-27.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.92R$76.4
$13.01฿430
14.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.91R$91.7
$19.45฿643
-7.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.85R$148
$38.68฿1,278
-25.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.92R$158
$3.86฿128
701.04%
Cinema Ticket
$7.73R$39.60
$6.62฿219
16.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$431R$2,208
$782฿25.8K
-44.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,515R$38.5K
$14.8K฿489.1K
-49.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1R$277
$54.1฿1,786
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.2R$293
$25.39฿839
125.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.0R$476
$90.9฿3,005
2.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.0R$425
$74.0฿2,444
12.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$397R$2,031
$476฿15.7K
-16.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$231R$1,182
$275฿9,079
-15.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$645R$3,304
$881฿29.1K
-26.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453R$2,321
$528฿17.5K
-14.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,402R$7,179
$1,989฿65.7K
-29.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,040R$5,328
$1,476฿48.8K
-29.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Embu das Artes
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$598฿19.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.12
5.57
99.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Embu das Artes: August 3, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $397 in Embu das Artes versus $476 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 $40.00 in Embu das Artes versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $216 in Embu das Artes vs $234 in Chiang Mai – so Embu das Artes 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
Embu das Artes vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Embu das Artes or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 3% more than Embu das Artes, 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 Embu das Artes and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,320 per month in Embu das Artes and $1,358 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Embu das Artes or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Embu das Artes, 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 Embu das Artes and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $431 per month in Embu das Artes and $782 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 Embu das Artes or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 8% 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 $2,000/month in Embu das Artes or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Embu das Artes, where all-in costs run around $880, than in Chiang Mai at $905. In Embu das Artes it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Embu das Artes or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Embu das Artes costs $880 versus $905 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Embu das Artes 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 Embu das Artes or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Embu das Artes. 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.
Embu das Artes vs other spots: cost of living compared