ðA single person spends $1,738 per month in Gueret vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,625 per month in Gueret vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,512 per month in Gueret vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðGueret costs about 106% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðGueret sits 30% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.52âŽ14.95
$1.95āļŋ62.8
798.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.35âŽ37.83
$18.43āļŋ594
140.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.88âŽ10.99
$7.50āļŋ241
71.73%
Cappuccino
$3.51âŽ2.99
$1.93āļŋ62.3
81.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09âŽ1.78
$0.78āļŋ25.08
167.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77âŽ1.51
$0.32āļŋ10.42
453.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.03âŽ6.85
$2.15āļŋ69.2
273.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.15âŽ3.54
$3.71āļŋ120
11.86%
ð Groceries & Markets
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09âŽ0.93
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-36.26%
White Bread(500g)
$2.59âŽ2.21
$1.56āļŋ50.3
66.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.55âŽ2.18
$1.18āļŋ38.06
116.10%
Eggs
$3.37âŽ2.87
$1.98āļŋ63.9
70.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$22.19âŽ18.93
$16.04āļŋ517
38.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.00âŽ6.82
$3.17āļŋ102
152.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.50âŽ14.08
$10.94āļŋ353
50.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.82âŽ2.40
$2.63āļŋ84.7
7.22%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07âŽ1.76
$1.17āļŋ37.61
76.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.61âŽ3.08
$1.65āļŋ53.0
118.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.06âŽ3.46
$1.54āļŋ49.51
163.64%
Potato(1kg)
$2.33âŽ1.99
$1.38āļŋ44.34
68.84%
Onion(1kg)
$2.80âŽ2.39
$1.17āļŋ37.54
139.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44âŽ1.23
$0.66āļŋ21.25
118.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88âŽ0.75
$0.51āļŋ16.55
72.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.71âŽ11.69
$4.52āļŋ146
203.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.61âŽ7.35
$18.32āļŋ590
-53.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35âŽ2.00
$1.80āļŋ57.9
30.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41âŽ1.20
$3.18āļŋ102
-55.66%
ð Getting Around
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.95âŽ1.66
$0.90āļŋ28.97
116.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.32âŽ42.07
$19.00āļŋ612
159.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.68âŽ4.85
$1.41āļŋ45.50
302.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91âŽ1.63
$1.31āļŋ42.15
45.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$57.5âŽ49.05
$8.09āļŋ261
610.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99âŽ1.70
$1.28āļŋ41.08
55.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8KâŽ31.4K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
72.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7KâŽ31.3K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
69.31%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106âŽ90.0
$69.2āļŋ2,230
52.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.35âŽ8.83
$13.97āļŋ450
-25.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.91âŽ31.48
$17.95āļŋ578
105.63%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.46âŽ31.95
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-11.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.34âŽ15.64
$6.66āļŋ214
175.38%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07âŽ7.74
$5.92āļŋ191
53.21%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$742âŽ633
$299āļŋ9,640
148.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0KâŽ10.3K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-19.01%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$111âŽ94.7
$56.2āļŋ1,810
97.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.0âŽ42.68
$26.94āļŋ868
85.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120âŽ102
$84.9āļŋ2,735
40.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$164âŽ140
$71.8āļŋ2,314
128.08%
ð Accommodation & Living
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$777âŽ663
$435āļŋ14.0K
78.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$619âŽ528
$240āļŋ7,727
158.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,362âŽ1,162
$798āļŋ25.7K
70.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,075âŽ917
$498āļŋ16.1K
115.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,205âŽ3,587
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
110.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,076âŽ2,624
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
100.83%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Gueret
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,053âŽ899
$628āļŋ20.2K
67.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.76
5
-24.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gueret: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $777 in Gueret 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 68% higher in Gueret, 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 $44 in Gueret versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $338 vs $244 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
Gueret vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gueret or Chiang Mai?
Gueret costs about 106% 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 Gueret vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,606 per month in Gueret 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, Gueret 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 Gueret and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $742 per month in Gueret 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 Gueret or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 39% more in Gueret, 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 Gueret or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Gueret at $1,738. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Gueret it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Gueret or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,738 in Gueret. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Gueret 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 Gueret or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Gueret makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.