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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $301 per month in Gaighat vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $498 per month in Gaighat vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $694 per month in Gaighat vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Gaighat is about 68% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Gaighat and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Gaighat 78% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.99 NPR 301
$2.08 ฿68.5
-4.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.08 NPR 3,037
$19.64 ฿646
2.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.43 NPR 973
$5.65 ฿186
13.81%
Cappuccino
$1.54 NPR 233
$1.81 ฿59.3
-14.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 NPR 84.5
$0.71 ฿23.44
-21.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16 NPR 24.54
$0.32 ฿10.38
-50.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.36 NPR 509
$2.24 ฿73.5
50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 NPR 545
$3.63 ฿119
-0.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.52 NPR 78.2
$1.96 ฿64.4
-73.47%
White Bread (500g)
$0.22 NPR 33.12
$1.50 ฿49.38
-85.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.32 NPR 48.41
$1.34 ฿43.92
-76.12%
Eggs
$1.01 NPR 152
$2.26 ฿74.4
-55.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.55 NPR 1,142
$16.26 ฿534
-53.57%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.00 NPR 303
$2.95 ฿97.1
-32.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$2.69 NPR 406
$9.94 ฿327
-72.94%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 NPR 255
$2.57 ฿84.5
-34.63%
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 NPR 171
$1.06 ฿34.72
6.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.69 NPR 104
$1.61 ฿53.0
-57.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.34 NPR 52.1
$1.52 ฿49.96
-77.63%
Potato (1kg)
$0.32 NPR 47.86
$1.27 ฿41.76
-74.80%
Onion (1kg)
$0.31 NPR 47.65
$1.07 ฿35.05
-71.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.49 NPR 74.4
$0.72 ฿23.67
-31.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.14 NPR 21.01
$0.51 ฿16.72
-72.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.01 NPR 305
$4.19 ฿138
-52.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.95 NPR 598
$17.87 ฿587
-77.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.35 NPR 204
$1.69 ฿55.7
-20.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 NPR 436
$2.84 ฿93.2
1.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.93 ฿30.42
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.9 ฿1,770
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 NPR 307
$1.23 ฿40.58
65.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 NPR 203
$0.58 ฿18.96
131.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.32 NPR 502
$2.42 ฿79.7
37.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 NPR 206
$1.41 ฿46.42
-3.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K NPR 4.5M
$21.4K ฿704.9K
39.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.6K NPR 5.5M
$27.3K ฿898.5K
33.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$31.24 NPR 4,726
$63.7 ฿2,093
-50.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.32 NPR 502
$12.85 ฿423
-74.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.81 NPR 1,182
$20.22 ฿665
-61.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$38.74 ฿1,274
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.97 ฿130
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.90 NPR 439
$6.74 ฿221
-56.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$66.2 NPR 10.0K
$778 ฿25.6K
-91.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,774 NPR 722.3K
$14.6K ฿480.2K
-67.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.66 NPR 4,033
$54.3 ฿1,785
-50.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.86 NPR 4,366
$25.45 ฿836
13.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.2 NPR 10.2K
$94.3 ฿3,101
-28.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.40 NPR 4,448
$73.4 ฿2,414
-59.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$490 ฿16.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$289 ฿9,510
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$894 ฿29.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$517 ฿17.0K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,955 ฿64.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,477 ฿48.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gaighat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$602 ฿19.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.72
5.57
74.51%

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

Last update for Gaighat: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Gaighat versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $99.0 vs $240 – making Gaighat 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
Gaighat vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gaighat or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 214% more than Gaighat, 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 Gaighat and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $452 per month in Gaighat and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Gaighat and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Gaighat 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 Gaighat or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 144% 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 Gaighat or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Gaighat, where all-in costs run around $301, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Gaighat 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, Gaighat or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gaighat costs $301 versus $947 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Gaighat 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 Gaighat or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Gaighat. 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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