Cost of Living Comparison Between Ende and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Ende and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $636 per month in Ende vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,001 per month in Ende vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,366 per month in Ende vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Ende is about 32% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Ende and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Ende 53% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.68 Rp 29.7K
$2.08 ฿69.5
-19.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.40 Rp 237.2K
$19.61 ฿655
-31.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.20 Rp 56.7K
$5.67 ฿189
-43.56%
Cappuccino
$1.70 Rp 30.1K
$1.81 ฿60.3
-6.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 Rp 7,737
$0.77 ฿25.65
-42.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22 Rp 3,811
$0.35 ฿11.53
-37.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.57 Rp 45.4K
$2.21 ฿73.9
16.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 Rp 59.2K
$3.79 ฿127
-11.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 Rp 22.4K
$2.05 ฿68.4
-38.54%
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 Rp 17.8K
$1.51 ฿50.6
-33.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.87 Rp 15.3K
$1.40 ฿46.69
-37.86%
Eggs
$1.46 Rp 25.9K
$2.26 ฿75.4
-35.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.44 Rp 131.8K
$16.19 ฿540
-54.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.23 Rp 57.2K
$2.90 ฿96.7
11.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.43 Rp 149.2K
$9.42 ฿314
-10.51%
Apples (1kg)
$2.11 Rp 37.4K
$2.68 ฿89.4
-21.27%
Banana (1kg)
$1.41 Rp 24.9K
$1.09 ฿36.37
29.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.93 Rp 34.2K
$1.62 ฿54.0
19.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.26 Rp 22.2K
$1.46 ฿48.74
-13.70%
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 Rp 20.3K
$1.28 ฿42.65
-10.16%
Onion (1kg)
$1.98 Rp 35.1K
$1.06 ฿35.31
86.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.68 Rp 12.1K
$0.72 ฿23.94
-5.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 Rp 6,492
$0.53 ฿17.56
-30.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72 Rp 48.1K
$4.23 ฿141
-35.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.54 Rp 416.8K
$18.29 ฿611
28.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 Rp 36.4K
$1.63 ฿54.4
25.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 Rp 49.9K
$2.90 ฿96.8
-2.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 Rp 5,696
$0.88 ฿29.32
-63.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 ฿1,795
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.45 Rp 8,014
$1.17 ฿39.14
-61.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 Rp 6,503
$0.58 ฿19.30
-36.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.14 Rp 55.6K
$2.39 ฿79.6
31.38%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.71 Rp 12.6K
$1.45 ฿48.41
-51.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7K Rp 419.7M
$21.0K ฿701.4K
12.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4K Rp 626.8M
$26.4K ฿882.0K
33.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.2 Rp 1.4M
$63.7 ฿2,125
21.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.25 Rp 75.3K
$12.89 ฿430
-67.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.29 Rp 306.2K
$20.52 ฿685
-15.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.09 Rp 373.4K
$39.02 ฿1,302
-45.95%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.39 Rp 166.3K
$3.92 ฿131
139.54%
Cinema Ticket
$2.85 Rp 50.5K
$6.58 ฿220
-56.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$107 Rp 1.9M
$784 ฿26.2K
-86.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,442 Rp 149.5M
$14.7K ฿489.8K
-42.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.25 Rp 872.0K
$55.1 ฿1,840
-10.63%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.76 Rp 509.2K
$24.74 ฿826
16.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.1 Rp 1.2M
$94.1 ฿3,142
-27.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.3 Rp 1.4M
$74.0 ฿2,469
8.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$223 Rp 3.9M
$490 ฿16.4K
-54.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$144 Rp 2.6M
$288 ฿9,620
-49.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$631 Rp 11.2M
$891 ฿29.8K
-29.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$400 Rp 7.1M
$521 ฿17.4K
-23.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,166 Rp 20.6M
$1,974 ฿65.9K
-40.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$656 Rp 11.6M
$1,444 ฿48.2K
-54.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ende
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$602 ฿20.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.46
5.57
69.84%

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

Last update for Ende: September 15, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $223 in Ende versus $490 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 $13.00 in Ende versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $241 – making Ende 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
Ende vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ende or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 46% more than Ende, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. 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 Ende and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $955 per month in Ende and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ende or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ende, 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 Ende and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Ende 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 Ende or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 17% 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 $1,500/month in Ende or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ende, where all-in costs run around $636, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Ende 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, Ende or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ende costs $636 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ende 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 Ende or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Ende. 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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