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

Name: Chiang Mai
Address: Chiang Mai, TH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $187 per month in Galcaio vs $950 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $304 per month in Galcaio vs $1,430 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $421 per month in Galcaio vs $1,909 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Galcaio is about 80% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Galcaio and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Galcaio 86% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 SOS 1,719

$2.10 ฿69.3

44.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.98 SOS 2,261

$5.79 ฿191

-31.26%

Cappuccino

$1.01 SOS 574

$1.83 ฿60.4

-44.81%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.57 SOS 324

$0.78 ฿25.61

-26.92%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.20 SOS 115

$0.31 ฿10.37

-35.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 SOS 872

$2.03 ฿67.1

-24.14%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 SOS 294

$1.60 ฿52.7

-67.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.73 SOS 417

$1.42 ฿46.75

-48.59%

Eggs

$3.03 SOS 1,720

$2.18 ฿71.9

38.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.95 SOS 1,105

$15.91 ฿526

-87.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.94 SOS 2,804

$3.07 ฿102

60.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.18 SOS 3,508

$9.87 ฿326

-37.39%

Apples (1kg)

$1.96 SOS 1,111

$2.63 ฿86.8

-25.48%

Banana (1kg)

$0.73 SOS 413

$1.10 ฿36.19

-33.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 SOS 579

$1.53 ฿50.6

-33.33%

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 SOS 578

$1.24 ฿41.13

-17.74%

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 SOS 574

$1.13 ฿37.37

-10.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.52 SOS 295

$0.74 ฿24.38

-29.73%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 SOS 555

$0.50 ฿16.48

96.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$0.48 SOS 274

$4.28 ฿141

-88.79%

Wine (Bottle)

$2.05 SOS 1,165

$17.97 ฿594

-88.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 SOS 1,152

$1.70 ฿56.1

19.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 SOS 1,159

$2.90 ฿95.7

-29.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K ฿700.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K ฿902.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$64.9 ฿2,145

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.35 ฿441

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$787 ฿26.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Galcaio: September 7, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

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

Galcaio vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 407% more than Galcaio, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $281 per month in Galcaio and $1,426 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $187 in Galcaio and $950 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 72% 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.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Galcaio, where all-in costs run around $187, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Galcaio it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Galcaio costs $187 versus $950 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Galcaio. 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.