Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Guelmim and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Guelmim: $562 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Guelmim, Morocco
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Guelmim
🇲🇦 Morocco
$562
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Guelmim and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Guelmim and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $562 per month in Guelmim vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Guelmim $562
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $911 per month in Guelmim vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Guelmim $911
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $1,261 per month in Guelmim vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Guelmim $1,261
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Guelmim is about 40% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Guelmim and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Guelmim 59% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.05 MAD 49.68
$2.24 ฿75.6
125.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.74 MAD 243
$19.00 ฿641
30.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.32 MAD 72.0
$5.55 ฿187
31.89%
Cappuccino
$2.10 MAD 20.63
$1.67 ฿56.5
25.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 MAD 7.85
$0.64 ฿21.54
25.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 MAD 3.34
$0.31 ฿10.31
9.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.95 MAD 48.65
$2.36 ฿79.5
109.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 MAD 43.01
$3.66 ฿124
19.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.84 MAD 8.24
$1.95 ฿65.7
-56.92%
White Bread (500g)
$0.40 MAD 3.98
$1.44 ฿48.46
-72.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.00 MAD 9.82
$1.33 ฿45.03
-24.81%
Eggs
$1.61 MAD 15.87
$2.28 ฿77.1
-29.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.16 MAD 80.2
$16.45 ฿555
-50.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.29 MAD 32.38
$2.78 ฿93.9
18.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.55 MAD 84.1
$9.31 ฿314
-8.16%
Apples (1kg)
$1.28 MAD 12.60
$2.35 ฿79.4
-45.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.11 MAD 10.92
$0.97 ฿32.79
14.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.86 MAD 8.42
$1.60 ฿53.9
-46.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.58 MAD 5.71
$1.50 ฿50.6
-61.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.63 MAD 6.18
$1.28 ฿43.11
-50.78%
Onion (1kg)
$0.58 MAD 5.74
$1.10 ฿37.18
-47.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.54 MAD 5.29
$0.71 ฿23.82
-23.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 MAD 5.35
$0.49 ฿16.36
10.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.01 MAD 39.44
$4.14 ฿140
-3.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.11 MAD 109
$17.52 ฿591
-36.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 MAD 11.82
$1.61 ฿54.5
-25.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 MAD 13.34
$2.78 ฿93.9
-51.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 MAD 7.26
$0.87 ฿29.30
-14.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.72 MAD 204
$54.1 ฿1,825
-61.69%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.62 MAD 6.11
$1.16 ฿39.04
-46.55%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.59 MAD 5.76
$0.53 ฿17.80
11.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.95 MAD 58.5
$2.42 ฿81.7
145.87%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 MAD 13.32
$1.45 ฿48.88
-6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K MAD 295.9K
$21.1K ฿710.5K
42.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0K MAD 314.8K
$26.9K ฿909.0K
18.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$23.35 MAD 230
$62.2 ฿2,098
-62.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.23 MAD 101
$12.17 ฿411
-15.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.19 MAD 198
$20.12 ฿679
0.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.35 MAD 249
$37.31 ฿1,259
-32.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.58 MAD 202
$3.77 ฿127
445.89%
Cinema Ticket
$5.23 MAD 51.4
$6.49 ฿219
-19.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$69.8 MAD 686
$736 ฿24.8K
-90.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,853 MAD 18.2K
$14.8K ฿498.2K
-87.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.13 MAD 178
$53.4 ฿1,801
-66.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.45 MAD 152
$24.64 ฿831
-37.30%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$58.3 MAD 573
$91.5 ฿3,087
-36.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.53 MAD 300
$71.9 ฿2,427
-57.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$186 MAD 1,832
$482 ฿16.3K
-61.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$113 MAD 1,110
$309 ฿10.4K
-63.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$326 MAD 3,207
$1,006 ฿33.9K
-67.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$219 MAD 2,153
$633 ฿21.4K
-65.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,175 MAD 11.5K
$2,363 ฿79.7K
-50.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$818 MAD 8,045
$1,589 ฿53.6K
-48.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$311 MAD 3,057
$590 ฿19.9K
-47.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
5.57
16.70%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Guelmim: October 27, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Guelmim
$152
Chiang Mai
$234 54.6% $83
Eating Out
Guelmim
$126
Chiang Mai
$78 38.2% $48
Accommodation & Living
Guelmim
$113
Chiang Mai
$309 174% $196
Clothing & Footwear
Guelmim
$55
Chiang Mai
$109 97.2% $54
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Guelmim
$54
Chiang Mai
$94 75.6% $41
Sport & Entertainment
Guelmim
$36
Chiang Mai
$50 40.4% $14
Getting Around
Guelmim
$27
Chiang Mai
$61 125% $34

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $186 in Guelmim versus $482 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.

Salaries run about 90% higher in Chiang Mai. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Guelmim versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $152 in Guelmim vs $234 in Chiang Mai – so Guelmim wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇦 Guelmim
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
22:19 10:19 PM
05:19 5:19 AM
7 h ahead of Guelmim
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
118,318
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to MAD – Moroccan Dirham Converter

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 9.83 MAD (1 MAD = 0.102 USD). 1 EUR = 10.98 MAD (100 MAD = 9.11 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Guelmim Chiang Mai 10,740 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Guelmim
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Guelmim vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Guelmim or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 66% more than Guelmim, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Guelmim and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $843 per month in Guelmim and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Guelmim or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Guelmim, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $186 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Guelmim and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $70 per month in Guelmim and $736 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 Guelmim or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 55% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Guelmim – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Guelmim compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Guelmim or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Guelmim. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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