Cost of Living Comparison Between Guelmim and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Guelmim and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $571 per month in Guelmim vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $934 per month in Guelmim vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,298 per month in Guelmim vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Guelmim is about 39% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Guelmim and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Guelmim 58% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.43 MAD 51.5
$2.08 ฿69.5
161.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.09 MAD 238
$19.61 ฿655
27.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.28 MAD 69.1
$5.67 ฿189
28.40%
Cappuccino
$2.08 MAD 19.72
$1.81 ฿60.3
14.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 MAD 8.41
$0.77 ฿25.65
15.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 MAD 3.32
$0.35 ฿11.53
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.30 MAD 50.3
$2.21 ฿73.9
139.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.55 MAD 43.13
$3.79 ฿127
20.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 MAD 8.49
$2.05 ฿68.4
-56.10%
White Bread (500g)
$0.46 MAD 4.35
$1.51 ฿50.6
-69.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.05 MAD 9.93
$1.40 ฿46.69
-25.00%
Eggs
$1.66 MAD 15.75
$2.26 ฿75.4
-26.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.43 MAD 79.9
$16.19 ฿540
-47.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.34 MAD 31.63
$2.90 ฿96.7
15.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.03 MAD 85.6
$9.42 ฿314
-4.14%
Apples (1kg)
$1.26 MAD 11.99
$2.68 ฿89.4
-52.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.20 MAD 11.41
$1.09 ฿36.37
10.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.88 MAD 8.31
$1.62 ฿54.0
-45.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.65 MAD 6.18
$1.46 ฿48.74
-55.48%
Potato (1kg)
$0.61 MAD 5.79
$1.28 ฿42.65
-52.34%
Onion (1kg)
$0.60 MAD 5.71
$1.06 ฿35.31
-43.40%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.59 MAD 5.63
$0.72 ฿23.94
-18.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 MAD 5.29
$0.53 ฿17.56
5.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 MAD 40.69
$4.23 ฿141
1.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.83 MAD 112
$18.29 ฿611
-35.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 MAD 12.16
$1.63 ฿54.4
-21.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 MAD 12.88
$2.90 ฿96.8
-53.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 MAD 7.11
$0.88 ฿29.32
-14.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.97 MAD 180
$53.8 ฿1,795
-64.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.64 MAD 6.10
$1.17 ฿39.14
-45.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 MAD 5.79
$0.58 ฿19.30
5.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.15 MAD 58.4
$2.39 ฿79.6
157.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 MAD 13.35
$1.45 ฿48.41
-2.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K MAD 329.3K
$21.0K ฿701.4K
65.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0K MAD 284.7K
$26.4K ฿882.0K
13.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$24.09 MAD 228
$63.7 ฿2,125
-62.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.64 MAD 101
$12.89 ฿430
-17.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.14 MAD 201
$20.52 ฿685
3.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.08 MAD 247
$39.02 ฿1,302
-33.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.55 MAD 204
$3.92 ฿131
449.74%
Cinema Ticket
$5.39 MAD 51.1
$6.58 ฿220
-18.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$69.9 MAD 663
$784 ฿26.2K
-91.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,925 MAD 18.3K
$14.7K ฿489.8K
-86.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.66 MAD 177
$55.1 ฿1,840
-66.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.60 MAD 148
$24.74 ฿826
-36.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.5 MAD 564
$94.1 ฿3,142
-36.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.75 MAD 301
$74.0 ฿2,469
-57.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$193 MAD 1,826
$490 ฿16.4K
-60.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$115 MAD 1,087
$288 ฿9,620
-60.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$331 MAD 3,138
$891 ฿29.8K
-62.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$226 MAD 2,143
$521 ฿17.4K
-56.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,236 MAD 11.7K
$1,974 ฿65.9K
-37.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$853 MAD 8,089
$1,444 ฿48.2K
-40.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Guelmim
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$320 MAD 3,036
$602 ฿20.1K
-46.78%
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: September 14, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $193 in Guelmim versus $490 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 88% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Guelmim versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $159 in Guelmim vs $241 in Chiang Mai – so Guelmim 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
Guelmim vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Guelmim or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 63% more than Guelmim, 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 Guelmim and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $856 per month in Guelmim and $1,398 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Guelmim and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $69.9 per month in Guelmim and $784 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 52% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $1,500/month in Guelmim or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Guelmim, where all-in costs run around $571, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Guelmim it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Guelmim or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Guelmim costs $571 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Guelmim 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Guelmim or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Guelmim. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, 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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