๐A single person spends $1,910 per month in Glyfada vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $3,070 per month in Glyfada vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $4,230 per month in Glyfada vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Glyfada costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Glyfada sits 42% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66โฌ15.03
$2.01เธฟ64.5
778.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.4โฌ51.4
$18.23เธฟ584
231.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.60โฌ9.02
$7.65เธฟ245
38.56%
Cappuccino
$4.28โฌ3.64
$1.92เธฟ61.5
122.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34โฌ1.99
$0.84เธฟ26.97
178.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61โฌ0.52
$0.36เธฟ11.42
69.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.78โฌ4.92
$2.19เธฟ70.2
163.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.67โฌ4.82
$3.79เธฟ121
49.60%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.92โฌ1.64
$1.64เธฟ52.5
17.07%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43โฌ1.22
$1.62เธฟ52.0
-11.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.65โฌ2.26
$1.15เธฟ36.98
130.43%
Eggs
$5.08โฌ4.32
$1.94เธฟ62.2
161.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.24โฌ13.82
$15.94เธฟ511
1.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.09โฌ9.44
$3.10เธฟ99.5
257.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.89โฌ12.67
$11.07เธฟ355
34.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30โฌ1.96
$2.71เธฟ86.8
-15.13%
Banana(1kg)
$2.18โฌ1.86
$1.18เธฟ37.80
84.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.58โฌ1.34
$1.71เธฟ54.7
-7.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23โฌ1.89
$1.61เธฟ51.5
38.51%
Potato(1kg)
$1.36โฌ1.16
$1.39เธฟ44.66
-2.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.57โฌ1.34
$1.15เธฟ36.81
36.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.11โฌ0.95
$0.71เธฟ22.83
56.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05โฌ0.89
$0.55เธฟ17.65
90.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.76โฌ4.91
$4.57เธฟ146
26.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.73โฌ9.98
$18.87เธฟ605
-37.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14โฌ1.82
$1.82เธฟ58.4
17.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21โฌ2.73
$3.21เธฟ103
-
๐ Getting Around
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40โฌ1.19
$0.88เธฟ28.24
59.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.34โฌ30.07
$18.89เธฟ606
87.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.74โฌ4.04
$1.41เธฟ45.30
236.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.30เธฟ41.71
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.56โฌ9.84
$8.20เธฟ263
40.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.10โฌ1.79
$1.23เธฟ39.29
70.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3Kโฌ25.8K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
42.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5Kโฌ22.6K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
18.89%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$219โฌ187
$69.9เธฟ2,240
213.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.77โฌ19.38
$14.07เธฟ451
61.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.48โฌ29.34
$17.70เธฟ567
94.80%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.2โฌ46.93
$41.41เธฟ1,328
33.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.34โฌ13.06
$6.69เธฟ215
129.30%
Cinema Ticket
$9.98โฌ8.50
$5.74เธฟ184
73.87%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$420โฌ357
$299เธฟ9,593
40.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3Kโฌ9,657
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-24.39%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.1โฌ79.3
$54.8เธฟ1,758
69.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.77โฌ38.95
$26.35เธฟ845
73.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.6โฌ83.9
$84.7เธฟ2,714
16.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121โฌ103
$69.7เธฟ2,236
73.60%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,057โฌ900
$427เธฟ13.7K
147.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$779โฌ663
$241เธฟ7,718
223.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,347โฌ1,997
$811เธฟ26.0K
189.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,734โฌ1,476
$498เธฟ16.0K
247.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,768โฌ6,611
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
284.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,422โฌ4,614
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
255.82%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Glyfada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,277โฌ1,086
$639เธฟ20.5K
99.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.99
5
-0.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Glyfada: April 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $1,057 in Glyfada versus $427 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 100% higher in Glyfada, 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 $60 in Glyfada versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $320 vs $246 โ making Chiang Mai 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
Glyfada vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
Glyfada costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Glyfada vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,866 per month in Glyfada and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, 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 Glyfada and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $420 per month in Glyfada 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 Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 30% more in Glyfada, 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 Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Glyfada at $1,910. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Glyfada it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,910 in Glyfada. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Glyfada 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 Glyfada or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Glyfada makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.