ðA single person spends $406 per month in Haldia vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $658 per month in Haldia vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $910 per month in Haldia vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðHaldia is about 52% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Haldia and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Haldia70% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.11âđ295
$1.96āļŋ64.0
58.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.60âđ1,102
$18.81āļŋ615
-38.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.98âđ473
$7.92āļŋ259
-37.12%
Cappuccino
$1.80âđ171
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-5.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41âđ38.48
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-51.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13âđ12.48
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-62.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.73âđ164
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-21.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35âđ223
$3.80āļŋ124
-38.16%
ð Groceries & Markets
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67âđ64.0
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-59.15%
White Bread(500g)
$0.39âđ37.34
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-75.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.62âđ59.0
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-47.46%
Eggs
$1.02âđ97.1
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-49.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52âđ429
$15.89āļŋ520
-71.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.88âđ273
$3.01āļŋ98.5
-4.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ352
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.42âđ230
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-7.28%
Banana(1kg)
$0.79âđ75.0
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-35.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28âđ121
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-24.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.61âđ58.2
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-61.39%
Potato(1kg)
$0.41âđ38.70
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-68.94%
Onion(1kg)
$0.60âđ57.0
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-48.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45âđ42.37
$0.67āļŋ21.98
-32.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34âđ31.81
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-39.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.00âđ379
$4.53āļŋ148
-11.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.57âđ814
$18.20āļŋ595
-52.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59âđ151
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-13.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41âđ229
$3.23āļŋ106
-25.39%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$7.29âđ692
-
-
ð Getting Around
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.76
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.79âđ834
$19.38āļŋ634
-54.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56âđ53.4
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-58.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28âđ26.58
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-79.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.08âđ198
$8.25āļŋ270
-74.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19âđ113
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-6.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.8Kâđ1.1M
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-44.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9Kâđ2.1M
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-2.38%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.93âđ3,981
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-40.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.97âđ376
$13.77āļŋ450
-71.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.26âđ690
$17.60āļŋ575
-58.75%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.02âđ1,521
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-61.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.97âđ662
$6.60āļŋ216
5.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.96âđ376
$5.78āļŋ189
-31.49%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$43.67âđ4,146
$306āļŋ10.0K
-85.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,590âđ151.0K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-89.27%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.01âđ2,659
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-48.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.50âđ2,896
$26.14āļŋ855
16.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$47.50âđ4,510
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-43.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.96âđ3,034
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-53.97%
ð Accommodation & Living
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$123âđ11.7K
$424āļŋ13.9K
-70.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$75.7âđ7,188
$238āļŋ7,788
-68.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$273âđ25.9K
$825āļŋ27.0K
-66.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179âđ16.9K
$515āļŋ16.8K
-65.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,037âđ98.5K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-49.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$492âđ46.7K
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-67.72%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Haldia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$438âđ41.5K
$635āļŋ20.8K
-31.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.9
5
98.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Haldia: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $123 in Haldia 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 45% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $12.00 in Haldia versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $108 vs $243 â making Haldia 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
Haldia vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Haldia or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 110% more than Haldia, 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 Haldia vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $608 per month in Haldia 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, Haldia or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Haldia, 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 Haldia and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $43.67 per month in Haldia 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 Haldia or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 125% 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 $1,200/month in Haldia or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $406 in Haldia and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Haldia or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Haldia costs $406 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Haldia 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 Haldia or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Haldia. 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.