ðA single person spends $1,766 per month in Goyave vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,000 per month in Goyave vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $4,235 per month in Goyave vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðGoyave costs about 109% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðGoyave sits 32% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.95āļŋ62.8
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.43āļŋ594
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.50āļŋ241
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.93āļŋ62.3
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.71āļŋ120
-
ð Groceries & Markets
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70âŽ1.45
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-0.58%
White Bread(500g)
$8.90âŽ7.59
$1.56āļŋ50.3
470.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$9.09âŽ7.76
$1.18āļŋ38.06
670.34%
Eggs
$11.54âŽ9.84
$1.98āļŋ63.9
482.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$16.04āļŋ517
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.33âŽ14.78
$3.17āļŋ102
446.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$39.86âŽ34.00
$10.94āļŋ353
264.35%
Apples(1kg)
$7.03âŽ6.00
$2.63āļŋ84.7
167.30%
Banana(1kg)
$3.57âŽ3.05
$1.17āļŋ37.61
205.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.18âŽ5.27
$1.65āļŋ53.0
274.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.79âŽ5.79
$1.54āļŋ49.51
340.91%
Potato(1kg)
$2.26âŽ1.92
$1.38āļŋ44.34
63.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77âŽ1.51
$1.17āļŋ37.54
51.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.72âŽ4.03
$0.66āļŋ21.25
615.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.29âŽ1.95
$0.51āļŋ16.55
349.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.52āļŋ146
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.47âŽ14.90
$18.32āļŋ590
-4.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.18āļŋ102
-
ð Getting Around
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00āļŋ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.09āļŋ261
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09âŽ1.79
$1.28āļŋ41.08
63.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
-
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$177âŽ151
$69.2āļŋ2,230
155.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.66âŽ9.94
$13.97āļŋ450
-16.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.6âŽ49.10
$17.95āļŋ578
220.67%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66āļŋ214
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.92āļŋ191
-
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$299āļŋ9,640
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.94āļŋ868
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-
ð Accommodation & Living
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$582âŽ496
$435āļŋ14.0K
33.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$908âŽ775
$240āļŋ7,727
278.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,709âŽ1,458
$798āļŋ25.7K
114.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,553âŽ2,178
$498āļŋ16.1K
412.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,461âŽ2,099
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
23.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,013âŽ2,570
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
96.69%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Goyave
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,255âŽ1,924
$628āļŋ20.2K
259.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
5
-30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Goyave: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $582 in Goyave 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.
ð°Salaries run about 259% higher in Goyave, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $0 in Goyave versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $602 in Goyave vs $244 in Chiang Mai â so Chiang Mai 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
Goyave vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Goyave or Chiang Mai?
Goyave costs about 109% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Goyave vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,648 per month in Goyave and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Goyave 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 much does it cost to live in Goyave compared to Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,766 in Goyave and $845 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category â it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Goyave or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 147% more in Goyave, 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 Goyave or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Goyave at $1,766. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Goyave it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Goyave or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,766 in Goyave. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Goyave 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Goyave or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Goyave makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.