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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,831 per month in Hamilton vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $9,260 per month in Hamilton vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $13.7K per month in Hamilton vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Hamilton costs about 458% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Hamilton sits 261% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$60.6 BMD 60.6

$1.94 ฿63.5

3024.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$177 BMD 177

$18.64 ฿609

849.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.87 BMD 14.87

$7.82 ฿255

90.15%

Cappuccino

$6.46 BMD 6.46

$1.95 ฿63.8

231.28%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 BMD 3.37

$0.85 ฿27.77

296.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 BMD 2.90

$0.35 ฿11.58

728.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.16 BMD 10.16

$2.13 ฿69.6

377.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.44 BMD 8.44

$3.73 ฿122

126.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$4.38 BMD 4.38

$1.71 ฿56.0

156.14%

White Bread (500g)

$8.71 BMD 8.71

$1.63 ฿53.2

434.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.59 BMD 5.59

$1.14 ฿37.15

390.35%

Eggs

$7.75 BMD 7.75

$1.93 ฿63.1

301.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.49 BMD 11.49

$16.21 ฿530

-29.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$24.12 BMD 24.12

$3.12 ฿102

673.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$31.75 BMD 31.75

$10.90 ฿356

191.28%

Apples (1kg)

$10.16 BMD 10.16

$2.75 ฿90.0

269.45%

Banana (1kg)

$6.18 BMD 6.18

$1.21 ฿39.52

410.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$12.86 BMD 12.86

$1.62 ฿53.0

693.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$11.27 BMD 11.27

$1.59 ฿51.8

608.81%

Potato (1kg)

$8.15 BMD 8.15

$1.40 ฿45.70

482.14%

Onion (1kg)

$4.96 BMD 4.96

$1.17 ฿38.17

323.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$6.06 BMD 6.06

$0.66 ฿21.60

818.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.21 BMD 3.21

$0.53 ฿17.22

505.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.58 BMD 17.58

$4.69 ฿153

274.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$24.56 BMD 24.56

$18.66 ฿609

31.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.47 BMD 5.47

$1.80 ฿58.8

203.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.43 BMD 4.43

$3.23 ฿106

37.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.81 BMD 4.81

$0.90 ฿29.26

434.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.1 BMD 68.1

$19.21 ฿628

254.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.40 BMD 6.40

$1.41 ฿45.91

353.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.44 BMD 3.44

$1.29 ฿42.12

166.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$54.8 BMD 54.8

$7.84 ฿256

599.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.36 BMD 2.36

$1.27 ฿41.58

85.83%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.0K BMD 35.0K

$21.3K ฿694.9K

64.63%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$39.7K BMD 39.7K

$22.2K ฿725.4K

78.89%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$234 BMD 234

$69.1 ฿2,256

239.21%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$117 BMD 117

$14.08 ฿460

734.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$156 BMD 156

$18.00 ฿588

765.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$191 BMD 191

$41.06 ฿1,341

365.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.31 BMD 32.31

$6.96 ฿227

364.22%

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 BMD 13.73

$5.92 ฿193

131.93%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,338 BMD 1,338

$299 ฿9,766

347.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K BMD 24.5K

$15.0K ฿488.3K

63.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$78.8 BMD 78.8

$54.7 ฿1,787

44.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$60.9 BMD 60.9

$26.77 ฿874

127.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$138 BMD 138

$85.0 ฿2,776

62.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 BMD 126

$70.6 ฿2,306

77.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,342 BMD 3,342

$428 ฿14.0K

680.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,198 BMD 2,198

$237 ฿7,752

826.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,541 BMD 8,541

$801 ฿26.2K

965.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$7,359 BMD 7,359

$515 ฿16.8K

1327.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$15.1K BMD 15.1K

$1,975 ฿64.5K

662.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,439 BMD 9,439

$1,475 ฿48.2K

539.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,759 BMD 6,759

$617 ฿20.2K

994.63%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.22

44.40%

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

Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,342 in Hamilton versus $428 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 995% higher in Hamilton, 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 $177 in Hamilton versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $813 vs $246 – 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

Hamilton vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Hamilton costs about 458% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,247 per month in Hamilton and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $1,338 per month in Hamilton and $299 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 230% more in Hamilton, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Hamilton at $4,831. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $4,831 in Hamilton. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.