🙂A single person spends $727 per month in Gence vs $950 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,169 per month in Gence vs $1,430 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,611 per month in Gence vs $1,909 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Gence is about 24% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Gence and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Gence47% lower, Chiang Mai31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.26₼12.34
$2.10฿69.4
245.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.99₼49.28
$19.84฿656
46.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.09₼13.75
$5.79฿192
39.72%
Cappuccino
$2.72₼4.63
$1.83฿60.5
48.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92₼1.57
$0.78฿25.63
17.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48₼0.82
$0.31฿10.38
54.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.17₼1.98
$2.34฿77.3
-50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37₼4.03
$3.70฿122
-35.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29₼2.20
$2.03฿67.1
-36.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.32₼0.55
$1.60฿52.8
-80.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76₼2.99
$1.42฿46.80
23.94%
Eggs
$1.17₼1.99
$2.18฿72.0
-46.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.90₼4.92
$15.91฿526
-81.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.50₼5.95
$3.07฿102
14.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.46₼12.67
$9.87฿326
-24.42%
Apples(1kg)
$0.63₼1.08
$2.63฿86.9
-76.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.35₼2.29
$1.10฿36.23
22.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43₼2.42
$1.63฿53.9
-12.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.05₼1.79
$1.53฿50.6
-31.37%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65₼1.10
$1.24฿41.16
-47.58%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52₼0.89
$1.13฿37.40
-53.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.43₼0.73
$0.74฿24.41
-41.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46₼0.78
$0.50฿16.50
-8.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.47₼5.90
$4.28฿142
-18.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$1.39₼2.37
$17.97฿594
-92.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87₼1.49
$1.70฿56.2
-48.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74₼2.96
$2.90฿95.8
-40.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₼0.47
$0.94฿31.15
-70.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.61₼24.83
$55.3฿1,828
-73.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.79₼3.04
$1.23฿40.80
45.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28₼0.47
$0.53฿17.67
-47.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.36₼4.02
$2.40฿79.4
-1.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64₼1.10
$1.44฿47.60
-55.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K₼35.2K
$21.2K฿700.9K
-2.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1K₼37.5K
$27.3K฿903.0K
-19.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.02₼56.1
$64.9฿2,147
-49.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.78₼21.72
$13.35฿442
-4.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.00₼25.49
$20.83฿689
-27.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.75₼35.27
$40.42฿1,337
-48.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.12₼39.29
$3.95฿131
485.32%
Cinema Ticket
$5.71₼9.70
$6.71฿222
-14.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$237₼403
$787฿26.0K
-69.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,768₼9,803
$15.1K฿500.1K
-61.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.7₼151
$56.2฿1,859
57.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2₼99.0
$24.95฿825
133.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$129₼219
$92.7฿3,066
38.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118₼201
$75.1฿2,484
57.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$348₼591
$484฿16.0K
-28.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$178₼303
$287฿9,500
-37.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$579₼984
$910฿30.1K
-36.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$354₼602
$531฿17.5K
-33.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$818₼1,391
$1,980฿65.5K
-58.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$477₼811
$1,451฿48.0K
-67.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gence
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$301₼511
$605฿20.0K
-50.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
5.57
43.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gence: September 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $348 in Gence versus $484 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 101% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $29.00 in Gence versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $120 in Gence vs $242 in Chiang Mai – so Gence 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
Gence vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gence or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 31% more than Gence, 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 Gence and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,090 per month in Gence and $1,426 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Gence or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gence, 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 Gence and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $237 per month in Gence and $787 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 Gence or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 103% 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 Gence or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Gence, where all-in costs run around $727, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Gence 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, Gence or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gence costs $727 versus $950 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Gence 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 Gence or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Gence. 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.