๐A single person spends $458 per month in Ghaziabad vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $733 per month in Ghaziabad vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,008 per month in Ghaziabad vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Ghaziabad is about 46% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Ghaziabad and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Ghaziabad66% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.96โน276
$1.95เธฟ62.5
51.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.51โน1,631
$18.43เธฟ590
-4.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.09โน381
$7.50เธฟ240
-45.47%
Cappuccino
$2.14โน199
$1.93เธฟ61.9
10.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51โน47.89
$0.78เธฟ24.94
-34.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20โน18.67
$0.32เธฟ10.36
-37.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35โน219
$2.15เธฟ68.8
9.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53โน329
$3.71เธฟ119
-4.85%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.72โน67.2
$1.71เธฟ54.9
-57.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57โน53.3
$1.56เธฟ50.0
-63.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94โน87.8
$1.18เธฟ37.85
-20.34%
Eggs
$1.19โน111
$1.98เธฟ63.5
-39.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.88โน361
$16.04เธฟ514
-75.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.31โน308
$3.17เธฟ102
4.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94เธฟ351
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.91โน178
$2.63เธฟ84.2
-27.38%
Banana(1kg)
$0.80โน74.9
$1.17เธฟ37.40
-31.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.73โน67.6
$1.65เธฟ52.7
-55.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48โน44.62
$1.54เธฟ49.23
-68.83%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34โน31.44
$1.38เธฟ44.09
-75.36%
Onion(1kg)
$0.54โน50.7
$1.17เธฟ37.33
-53.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33โน30.30
$0.66เธฟ21.13
-50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34โน31.55
$0.51เธฟ16.46
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97โน369
$4.52เธฟ145
-12.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.58โน1,079
$18.32เธฟ587
-36.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09โน195
$1.80เธฟ57.6
16.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35โน405
$3.18เธฟ102
36.79%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.54โน516
-
-
๐ Getting Around
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58โน54.4
$0.90เธฟ28.80
-35.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.68โน1,647
$19.00เธฟ609
-6.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57โน52.8
$1.41เธฟ45.25
-59.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.16โน14.60
$1.31เธฟ41.91
-87.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.99โน278
$8.09เธฟ259
-63.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.20โน112
$1.28เธฟ40.85
-6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.1Kโน1.3M
$21.3Kเธฟ682.3K
-33.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2Kโน2.0M
$21.7Kเธฟ695.4K
-2.34%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.4โน4,790
$69.2เธฟ2,217
-25.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.55โน331
$13.97เธฟ448
-74.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.33โน776
$17.95เธฟ575
-53.59%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.54โน1,914
$42.31เธฟ1,356
-51.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.31โน494
$6.66เธฟ213
-20.27%
Cinema Ticket
$2.97โน277
$5.92เธฟ190
-49.83%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.5โน8,527
$299เธฟ9,586
-69.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,740โน162.1K
$14.8Kเธฟ475.8K
-88.28%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.33โน2,640
$56.2เธฟ1,800
-49.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.36โน2,456
$26.94เธฟ863
-2.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.28โน4,218
$84.9เธฟ2,719
-46.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.04โน2,892
$71.8เธฟ2,301
-56.79%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$141โน13.2K
$435เธฟ13.9K
-67.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$80.0โน7,453
$240เธฟ7,684
-66.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$312โน29.1K
$798เธฟ25.6K
-60.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$234โน21.8K
$498เธฟ16.0K
-53.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,120โน104.3K
$1,995เธฟ63.9K
-43.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$729โน67.9K
$1,532เธฟ49.1K
-52.43%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Ghaziabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$395โน36.8K
$628เธฟ20.1K
-37.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.81
5
96.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ghaziabad: April 19, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $141 in Ghaziabad versus $435 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 59% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Ghaziabad versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $119 vs $244 โ making Ghaziabad 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
Ghaziabad vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 84% more than Ghaziabad, 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 Ghaziabad vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $688 per month in Ghaziabad and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ghaziabad, 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 Ghaziabad and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $91.5 per month in Ghaziabad and $299 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 Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 105% 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 $1,000/month in Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $458 in Ghaziabad and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ghaziabad costs $458 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ghaziabad 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Ghaziabad or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Ghaziabad. 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.