ðA single person spends $2,572 per month in Greystones vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,790 per month in Greystones vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $5,007 per month in Greystones vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðGreystones costs about 202% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðGreystones sits 92% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.38âŽ16.55
$1.96āļŋ63.6
888.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2âŽ65.1
$18.81āļŋ611
305.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$16.20âŽ13.83
$7.92āļŋ258
104.55%
Cappuccino
$4.40âŽ3.76
$1.91āļŋ62.2
130.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37âŽ2.03
$0.84āļŋ27.25
182.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97âŽ1.68
$0.35āļŋ11.44
462.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.13âŽ6.09
$2.21āļŋ71.7
222.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.48âŽ5.53
$3.80āļŋ124
70.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.06âŽ1.76
$1.64āļŋ53.2
25.61%
White Bread(500g)
$2.16âŽ1.85
$1.62āļŋ52.8
33.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.29âŽ1.96
$1.18āļŋ38.40
94.07%
Eggs
$4.10âŽ3.50
$2.01āļŋ65.4
103.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.28âŽ7.93
$15.89āļŋ517
-41.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.75âŽ8.33
$3.01āļŋ98.0
223.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.55âŽ13.28
$10.77āļŋ350
44.38%
Apples(1kg)
$4.76âŽ4.06
$2.61āļŋ85.0
82.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.75âŽ2.35
$1.22āļŋ39.65
125.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.09âŽ3.49
$1.70āļŋ55.4
140.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.88âŽ3.31
$1.58āļŋ51.2
145.57%
Potato(1kg)
$3.31âŽ2.82
$1.32āļŋ42.89
150.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91âŽ1.64
$1.17āļŋ38.01
63.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87âŽ1.60
$0.67āļŋ21.85
179.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.31âŽ1.97
$0.56āļŋ18.21
312.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.34âŽ13.10
$4.53āļŋ147
238.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.88âŽ12.71
$18.20āļŋ592
-18.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.75âŽ3.20
$1.83āļŋ59.6
104.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.35âŽ4.57
$3.23āļŋ105
65.63%
ð Getting Around
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.95âŽ3.37
$0.89āļŋ28.83
343.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.7âŽ48.44
$19.38āļŋ630
192.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.30âŽ4.52
$1.35āļŋ43.95
292.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.31âŽ1.97
$1.35āļŋ43.79
71.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.63âŽ29.57
$8.25āļŋ268
319.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.17âŽ1.85
$1.27āļŋ41.40
70.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.1KâŽ35.9K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
98.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.6KâŽ34.7K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
80.58%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234âŽ200
$70.2āļŋ2,281
233.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.38âŽ18.26
$13.77āļŋ448
55.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.94âŽ42.65
$17.60āļŋ572
183.75%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$67.3âŽ57.5
$41.57āļŋ1,352
61.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.19âŽ29.20
$6.60āļŋ215
418.03%
Cinema Ticket
$16.06âŽ13.71
$5.78āļŋ188
177.85%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,609âŽ1,374
$306āļŋ9,953
425.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,628âŽ6,514
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-48.55%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.4âŽ76.3
$54.4āļŋ1,768
64.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9âŽ48.56
$26.14āļŋ850
117.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.9âŽ79.4
$84.5āļŋ2,748
9.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143âŽ123
$69.4āļŋ2,257
106.64%
ð Accommodation & Living
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,453âŽ1,241
$424āļŋ13.8K
242.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,252âŽ1,069
$238āļŋ7,743
425.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,411âŽ2,059
$825āļŋ26.8K
192.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,949âŽ1,664
$515āļŋ16.7K
278.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,038âŽ3,448
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
97.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,098âŽ1,791
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
37.76%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Greystones
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,548âŽ3,030
$635āļŋ20.6K
458.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.53
5
-9.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Greystones: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $1,453 in Greystones versus $424 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 459% higher in Greystones, 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 $76.0 in Greystones versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $375 vs $243 â 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
Greystones vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Greystones or Chiang Mai?
Greystones costs about 202% 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 Greystones vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,858 per month in Greystones and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Greystones 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 Greystones and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $1,609 per month in Greystones and $306 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 Greystones or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 54% more in Greystones, 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 Greystones or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Greystones at $2,572. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Greystones it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Greystones or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,572 in Greystones. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Greystones 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 Greystones or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Greystones makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Greystones vs other spots: cost of living compared