๐A single person spends $1,649 per month in Granada vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,381 per month in Granada vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,112 per month in Granada vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Granada costs about 89% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Granada sits 22% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.14โฌ14.59
$2.01เธฟ64.5
752.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.71โฌ38.04
$18.23เธฟ584
145.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.81โฌ8.35
$7.65เธฟ245
28.24%
Cappuccino
$2.31โฌ1.96
$1.92เธฟ61.5
20.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93โฌ2.49
$0.84เธฟ26.97
248.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30โฌ1.96
$0.36เธฟ11.42
538.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51โฌ2.99
$2.19เธฟ70.2
60.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.62โฌ3.93
$3.79เธฟ121
21.90%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16โฌ0.99
$1.64เธฟ52.5
-29.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.61โฌ1.37
$1.62เธฟ52.0
-0.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51โฌ1.29
$1.15เธฟ36.98
31.30%
Eggs
$3.14โฌ2.67
$1.94เธฟ62.2
61.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.14โฌ13.74
$15.94เธฟ511
1.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.33โฌ7.09
$3.10เธฟ99.5
168.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.18โฌ12.06
$11.07เธฟ355
28.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.81โฌ2.39
$2.71เธฟ86.8
3.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92โฌ1.64
$1.18เธฟ37.80
62.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88โฌ1.60
$1.71เธฟ54.7
9.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.71โฌ2.31
$1.61เธฟ51.5
68.32%
Potato(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.94
$1.39เธฟ44.66
64.03%
Onion(1kg)
$2.50โฌ2.13
$1.15เธฟ36.81
117.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.56โฌ1.32
$0.71เธฟ22.83
119.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.02โฌ0.87
$0.55เธฟ17.65
85.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.32โฌ5.38
$4.57เธฟ146
38.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.92โฌ4.18
$18.87เธฟ605
-73.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27โฌ1.08
$1.82เธฟ58.4
-30.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02โฌ1.72
$3.21เธฟ103
-37.07%
๐ Getting Around
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.60โฌ1.37
$0.88เธฟ28.24
81.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.81โฌ38.99
$18.89เธฟ606
142.51%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.76โฌ4.90
$1.41เธฟ45.30
308.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22โฌ1.04
$1.30เธฟ41.71
-6.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.11โฌ24.77
$8.20เธฟ263
255.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.73โฌ1.47
$1.23เธฟ39.29
40.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5Kโฌ32.8K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
81.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6Kโฌ25.2K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
32.80%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158โฌ135
$69.9เธฟ2,240
126.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.82โฌ16.87
$14.07เธฟ451
40.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.27โฌ24.06
$17.70เธฟ567
59.72%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.74โฌ41.48
$41.41เธฟ1,328
17.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.66โฌ11.63
$6.69เธฟ215
104.19%
Cinema Ticket
$9.88โฌ8.41
$5.74เธฟ184
72.13%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$382โฌ325
$299เธฟ9,593
27.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,386โฌ7,137
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-44.12%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.0โฌ62.2
$54.8เธฟ1,758
33.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.78โฌ28.75
$26.35เธฟ845
28.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.7โฌ66.1
$84.7เธฟ2,714
-8.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107โฌ90.6
$69.7เธฟ2,236
52.71%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$858โฌ730
$427เธฟ13.7K
100.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$687โฌ584
$241เธฟ7,718
185.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,142โฌ971
$811เธฟ26.0K
40.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$927โฌ789
$498เธฟ16.0K
85.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,512โฌ2,989
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
73.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,337โฌ1,989
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
53.38%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Granada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,931โฌ1,643
$639เธฟ20.5K
202.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.55
5
-29.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Granada: April 14, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $858 in Granada 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 202% higher in Granada, 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 $45 in Granada versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $276 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
Granada vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Granada or Chiang Mai?
Granada costs about 89% 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 Granada vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,474 per month in Granada 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, Granada 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 Granada and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $382 per month in Granada 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 Granada or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Granada, 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 Granada or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Granada at $1,649. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Granada it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Granada or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,649 in Granada. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Granada 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 Granada or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Granada makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.